Master Thesis Direct Manipulation of Turtle Graphics

This thesis is centred around the question of how dynamic pictures can be created and manipulated directly, analogous to drawing images, in an attempt to overcome traditional abstract textual program representations and interfaces (coding). To explore new ideas, Vogo1 is presented, an experimental, spatially-oriented, direct manipulation, live programming environment for Logo Turtle Graphics. It allows complex abstract shapes to be created entirely on a canvas. The interplay of several interface design principles is demonstrated to encourage exploration, curiosity and serendipitous discoveries. By reaching out to new programmers, this thesis seeks to question established programming paradigms and expand the view of what programming is. 1http://mgrf.de/vogo/