Description #
MIT App Inventor is a web-based visual programming environment that enables users to build fully functional Android apps using drag-and-drop blocks. It is designed for beginners and educators to quickly prototype mobile applications without writing traditional code.
History #
App Inventor was originally developed by Google in 2010 under the leadership of Hal Abelson. It was later transferred to MIT, where it continues to be actively developed and supported by the MIT Center for Mobile Learning. It has been widely used in education worldwide.
Hello World Code #
App Inventor uses visual blocks instead of written code. A basic Hello World app would involve:
Screen1.Initialize → Label1.Text = "Hello, World!"You connect visual blocks to trigger an event when the app starts and update a label’s text.
How to Run #
Option 1: Online
https://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu/
Option 2: Local
- Download and install AI2 Offline (optional)
- Use MIT AI2 Companion App for live testing on Android
- Build APK from the site and install on your device
Key Concepts #
- Block-based programming
- Mobile app development (Android)
- Event-driven architecture
- GUI builder with live preview
- Real-time device testing
- Educational focus for STEM and CS
- Cloud-based IDE
- Drag-and-drop logic blocks
- Sensor and hardware integration
- Open-source with active community
Try It Online #
https://ai2.appinventor.mit.edu
Fun Facts #
- Over 100 million apps have been built with App Inventor
- Used in global coding competitions and hackathons
- Inspired similar tools like Thunkable and Kodular
Resources #
Official site
Docs or tutorial
GitHub or interpreter
Community or learning resources
