Pr0100-getting started with processing

Table of contents

• Preface
  • Viewing tip
    • Images
• Preview
• General background information
  • The true power of OOP
  • Specialized class libraries
  • Android and HTML 5 make Processing more relevant
• Discussion and sample code
  • An integrated development environment (IDE)
  • The Getting Started tutorial
• Run the sketch
  • Run directly from the PDE
  • Run in JavaScript mode
    • A folder named web-export
    • A caution regarding JavaScript mode
  • Export and run as an application
• Dealing with image and sound files
• Summary
• What's next?
• Miscellaneous

Preface

This module is one in a collection of modules designed to teach you about the Processing open source programming environment.

Processing is a Java-based OOP programming environment designed for people who want to create images, animations, and interactions.

The purpose of this module is to help you get started programming in the Processing programming environment.

Not for beginners

This material is not for beginning programmers. The material in this collection assumes that you already have knowledge of programming fundamentals,preferably in the Java programming language. If that is not the case, I recommend that you first study the Programming Fundamentals material at Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) with Java and return to this collection once you understand that material.

The material in this collection concentrates on the object-oriented aspects of Java and the Processing environment.

Viewing tip

I recommend that you open another copy of this module in a separate browser window and use the following links to easily find and view the imageswhile you are reading about them.

Images

• Image 1 . The Processing Development Environment (PDE).
• Image 2 . Output from the Cars sketch.
• Image 3 . JavaScript output mode.

Preview

In Processing, a computer program is called a sketch . Sketches are stored in the Sketchbook , which is a folder on your computer.

In this module, I will show you how to create an animated Processingsketch that can be run in any of three ways:

• Run directly from the PDE.
• Run in JavaScript mode.
• Export and run as an application.

Click here to see a live demonstration of the sketch in your HTML 5 compatible browser.

General background information

The true power of OOP

The true power of OOP lies not in the programming language, but in the class libraries that support that programming language. This is particularly true ofJava OOP because, unlike C++, the Java programming language is lean, small, and compact.

Specialized class libraries

OO programmers working in industry often use a variety of specialized class libraries. The classes in those libraries tend tobe specialized for the type of work being done; medical, database, shopping cart, graphics, games, etc.

Therefore, in addition to understanding critical OOP concepts, it is also important thataspiring OO programmers develop the ability to work with one or more class libraries in addition to the library that comes with the Java development kit. One of themain reasons that I am writing this collection of modules is to give my OO students an opportunity to work with another class library.