GP-Mods
The GP Blocks programming system in a form that is easy to fork and modify.
GP is a "general purpose" blocks programming system similar to Scratch, but with extended features such as the ability to work with pixel and sound data, process data, or build games and applications. What's more, GP can turn anything you build into an application.
Creating a Mod
To make your own GP mod, first create a (free!) Github account if you don't already have one. Then click the "Fork" button in the top-right corner of this repository. That will create your own fork on Github. If you wish, rename your fork by clicking on the "Settings" tab in your fork. Finally, clone your repository on your own computer and start modding!
How GP Works
GP runs on a virtual machine (VM) that includes a parser for the textual version of GP, an intepreter for GP code, a garbage collector to manage memory, and a set of primitives for things like graphics and sound I/O, file system access, support for language structures such as functions and classes, arithmetic operations, etc. (You can get a full list of primitives by typing 'help' to the GP command prompt.)
Most of GP is actually written in GP itself. That code is stored in textual form in a set of .gp files stored in the runtime/lib folder. The textual form of GP maps to blocks, so the GP library code can be viewed (or even edited) as blocks. Eventually, we hope that we'll use the GP blocks editor to edit and extend the GP system itself. But when working with larger amounts of code or making global changes to the entire library, its often more practical to work with the textual form.
When GP is started, it reads all of the .gp files in the runtime/lib folder. It then reads and executes the code in runtime/startup.gp, if that file exists. Finally, it looks for a function named "startup" and runs it if it exists. The startup function is usually defined in runtime/startup.gp.
Using GP Read-Eval-Print Loop (REPL)
GP can also be run in interactive mode by typing:
gp-win -
When started in interactive mode, GP doesn't read runtime/startup.gp or run the "startup" function. Thus, instead of opening GP's graphical editor, you'll see a GP welcome message and command prompt:
Loaded 127 library files from runtime/lib
Welcome to GP!
gp>
You can run commands such as:
exit - quit GP
help - print a list of primitive operations built into GP
print (3 + 4) - print the result of an expression
inspect (list 1 2 3) - inspect an object
go - restart the user interface
Wiki
The Wiki on this repository will eventually include articles explaining how GP works, how it loads the entire system from "runtime/lib" when it starts, and how to make changes.
Discord
On discord you can join us to talk about GP, suggest features, ask for help and more: https://discord.gg/vUprKx4
User Forum
Ask questions and share what you've created with others on the "GP Mods" section of the GP Forum (http://gpblocks.org/forum). Unfortunately, due to a constant barrage of spammers creating accounts, we had to disable automatic account creation; just drop an email to "gpteam" at gpblocks.org.
Based on GP...
To avoid potential confusion with the original GP, which is used by students and educators around the world, your mod should be named something other than simply "GP" or "GP Blocks, and it should avoid displaying the original GP logo. You are welcome to use the "GP Mod" logo and encouraged to use the phrase "Based on GP" in your mod's title or about box.
License
All source code in this repository is under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. You are allowed (and encouraged!) to fork and modify it, but you must share your changes