Eng:Block Plugin (1.4)/Syntax

This article shows the Block Plugin syntax.

On the Scratch Wiki, code must be inserted between the  tags, while on the forums they are inserted between   tags.

Every block goes on a new line, and is written as the text on the block is shown on Scratch. For example:

Arguments
Arguments, or inputs to a blocks, are represented within the block with various codes.

Numerical Insert
The round numerical insert is used with the token. move (10) steps move (10) steps

String Insert
String inserts are created with the token say [Hi] say [Hi]

think [bye] think [bye]

Block Insert
Boolean blocks and Reporter blocks are created with  and , respectively. if < and <(costume #) = [1]>> then stamp end if < and <(costume #) = [1]>> then stamp end Note that booleans appear like reporter blocks due to a technical limitation.

Color Picker
A color picker is represented with. #hexcode is a hexadecimal color code. set pen color to [#00FF00] set pen color to [#00FF00]

This website can be used to find hexadecimal colors.

Dropdown List
Dropdown lists are created with the code broadcast [start v] broadcast [start v]

Special Blocks
Some blocks have different code based on their unique shapes and features, as well as technical limitations.

Hat Blocks
The When Green Flag Clicked block can be typed with any of the following syntax: when green flag clicked when gf clicked when flag clicked when gf clicked stamp

The When Clicked block requires the sprite's name to be surrounded by brackets. The sprite's name will appear like a text box due to technical limitations. When [Sprite1] clicked when [Sprite1] clicked stamp The When key pressed block uses a drop-down menu: when [space v] key pressed stamp when [space v] key pressed stamp

Stack Blocks
The Turn Degrees (clockwise) block can be written two ways: turn cw degrees turn right degrees turn cw degrees

The Turn Degrees (counter-clockwise) block can be written two ways:

turn ccw degrees turn left degrees turn ccw degrees

C Blocks
C blocks must be closed by typing "end" after the last stack block inside it. However, C blocks at the end of a script will close automatically. For example: repeat (10) move (5) steps stamp end repeat (10) move (10) steps stamp Makes: repeat (10) move (5) steps stamp end repeat (10) move (10) steps stamp

Comments
Comments are created with the  token, after a block. move (10) steps //is that too far? move (10) steps //is that too far? Comments are grey on the Scratch Wiki, and light yellow on the forums.

Be Careful making [[File: is less than .png]] and [[File: is greater than .png]]
Due to the syntax, you must add spaces to both sides of the middle character in the and  blocks.

If you forget the spaces, you'll get:

<[]<[]> <[]>[]>

To correct the problem, insert spaces:

<[] < []> <[] > []>

Compile Block Plugin Code
To efficiently generate block plugin code for large scripts, one can use project summaries. After writing the script in Scratch, shift-click the file menu and select "write project summary". Pick a directory. Once the .txt file is generated, it will contain the script in block plugin format, with a few minor differences that can be adjusted.

An alternative is to use [ LS97's Scratch plugin] that correctly exports a script to ScratchBlocks format.