DoodlePad: next-gen event-driven programming for CS1
Mark F. Russo · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2017
DoodlePad is a next-generation, open source object graphics Java library for CS1 that implements a full range of graphic and other supporting classes. DoodlePad is unique in that each object is capable of triggering a comprehensive suite of shape-specific, pixel-perfect, mouse, keyboard and other events. Students complete programming assignments by defining classes and writing methods that handle object events. In addition to common event handling programming patterns, DoodlePad adds a new style of event handling based on Java's method references, which makes it possible to introduce event-driven programming much earlier in the semester. CS1 students are able to author a wider range of programs that operate in a familiar event-driven style. DoodlePad has been in use by CS1 students for four years, and is freely available under a GPL3 license [1]. A growing body of documentation and supporting material may be found at http://doodlepad.org.