Description #
Waterbear is a visual, block-based programming environment for the web that helps beginners learn coding concepts without worrying about syntax. It allows users to build simple scripts using draggable blocks that represent common programming constructs.
History #
Waterbear was created by Dethe Elza in 2010 as an open-source project inspired by Scratch and Blockly but designed to support more flexible, web-based scripting. It was one of the first efforts to bring visual programming to the browser with open standards.
Hello World Code #
Waterbear doesn’t use typed code. A basic Hello World script would be built visually by connecting blocks like:
[when program starts] → [log to console: "Hello, World!"]The block-based interface resembles puzzle pieces that snap together.
How to Run #
Option 1: Online
https://waterbearlang.github.io
Option 2: Local
- Clone or download from GitHub: https://github.com/waterbearlang/waterbear
- Open the
index.htmlin a browser - No installation required
Key Concepts #
- Visual drag-and-drop blocks
- Web-based coding environment
- JavaScript-like logic
- Event handling
- Variables and functions
- Flow control (loops, conditionals)
- Reusable code snippets
- Syntax-free programming
- Inspired future block-based tools
- Extensible through the open-source project
Try It Online #
https://waterbearlang.github.io
Fun Facts #
- Named after the resilient microscopic creature, the tardigrade (aka water bear)
- Early inspiration for modern tools like Thunkable and Snap!
- Used in early Hour of Code prototypes and teacher training
Resources #
Official site
Docs or tutorial
GitHub or interpreter
Community or learning resources
