A Web-based system for learning programming using a graphics format on WWW

This paper describes a Web-based system for learning programming. The system is implemented as a Web-based application using Java Servlets and JSP. In order to motivate learners, it makes use of a standardized graphics/animation format SVG, which are popularly used on WWW. It offers templates and example programs and lets novice learners fill in short fragments of programs. The outputs of programs are graphics/animations written in SVG. The server side program also has a Bulletin Board System (BBS) to let learners contribute their programs and animations so that they can communicate with others - it takes advantage of using standardized Web formats. Moreover, the BBS also allows learners to contribute functions as well as complete pieces of programs, which motivates learners to write reusable components of programs.