Programming by example: novice programming comes of age

Abstract

Since the late 1960s, program language designers have been trying to develop approaches to programming computers that succeed with novices. None has gained widespread acceptance. We have now developed an entirely new approach that eliminatestraditional programming languages in favor of a combination of two technologies: programming by demonstration (PBD) and visual before-after rules. This combination was never tried before. The result is the first commercial product based onPBD technology—Stagecast Creator, introduced in March 1999—enabling even children to create their own interactive stories, games, and simulations.Here, we describe this approach, offer independent evidencethat it works for novices, and discuss why it works when other approaches haven’t and, more important, can’t.