Interactive programming, also known as live coding, refers to any computer programming language that allows the creator to make changes to the program while it is already running. In traditional programming, the encoder first writes the program and then saves it. Then run the program on the computer. If an error occurs, it goes back to the drawing board to write the new code and run the program again. With interactive programming, the designer can make changes to the code without having to run the program again.
Interactive programming refers to any computer programming language that allows the creator to make changes to the program while it is already running.
Another use of interactive programming is to allow user input in what is called an interactive application. This can be as simple as asking the user for their name and displaying it on the screen. The program has an interactive element that changes the value of the username based on what the user types. When the program was created, I didn’t know its name and the value was blank. Once he knew its name, he put that value into the program while the program was still running and displayed it on the screen.
This type of interactive programming contrasts with another programming process known as batch processing. In batch processing, the program can be executed without requiring user input. This has the advantage of running on its own without the user’s help, but it has a major drawback. All the information necessary for the execution of the program must be encrypted from the beginning. If the program wanted to display the user’s name, it should already know that, since it wouldn’t be able to prompt for user input.
When you create a program, it goes through development cycles. These cycles begin with identifying what the program is supposed to do, writing the code, and testing the program. The designer then goes back and makes changes to the program and tests it again. This process is repeated until a successful program is created.
When using interactive programming, the fine lines between stages of the development cycle become blurred. Writing the program and running it become the same. Instead of writing the program and then running it, the developer can write the program, run it, and continue writing or making changes while it runs. This allows much more flexibility in programs and allows the programmer or user to make changes without restarting the program.
