Description #
Alice 3 is a 3D block-based educational programming environment that teaches object-oriented programming through storytelling and game design. It uses a drag-and-drop interface that outputs Java code structure behind the scenes.
History #
Alice was developed at Carnegie Mellon University by the late Randy Pausch and his team. Alice 3, released in 2009, is the latest major version and was rebuilt to support a deeper understanding of object-oriented principles using Java syntax concepts. It features a full 3D animation system and extensive educational resources.
Hello World Code #
In Alice 3, there’s no text-based code by default. Instead, you create a new project, add a character (e.g., Penguin), and drag a “Say” block to the timeline:
penguin.say("Hello, World")How to Run #
Option 1: Online
Alice 3 Gallery and Tutorials
Option 2: Local
- Download from: https://www.alice.org/downloads/
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux
- No installation required; unzip and launch the Alice3 executable
Key Concepts #
- Visual block programming
- 3D storytelling
- Java-like backend structure
- Object-oriented thinking
- Scene editor with camera angles
- Animation timelines
- Events and triggers
- Educational scaffolding and curriculum
- No syntax errors (drag-and-drop blocks only)
- Free classroom materials and lesson plans
Try It Online #
Fun Facts #
- Created by Randy Pausch, known for “The Last Lecture”
- Used globally in introductory computer science classes
- Alice 3 supports NetBeans integration for advanced users
Resources #
Official site
Docs or tutorial
GitHub or interpreter
Community or learning resources
