Scratch
Scratch may refer to any of the following:
1. Scratch is a free programming language developed by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) that makes it easy to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art, and share your creations on the web. Scratch can run in a modern web browser or be downloaded as an app.
Scratch does not run on Internet Explorer or any smartphone.
How to program in Scratch
To program in Scratch, the user drags coding blocks from the code edge of the window into the program overview section. For example, when starting a new Scratch program, a sprite (image) of a cat is created that can be programmed to move, talk, or do something else. This cat can also be replaced with any other image or made into a game or program.
Example of a Scratch program
For example, if we wanted Scratchy the cat to meow and say hello, we could start by dragging an event into the program. For example, we could drag the "when this sprite clicked" Event over that triggers any time Scratchy is clicked. Next, we could go into the Sound and drag over "play sound Meow until done" and attach it below the Event. Now, if you click Scratchy, it would play the meow sound. Finally, we could go into Looks and drag over "say Hello! for 2 seconds" under the sound. Now, if you click Scratchy, it plays the meow sound and then display a "Hello!" text bubble.
2. Scratch describes a temporary file or location in memory storage that a computer uses as a place to store data. See our scratch space definition for further information.
3. Scratch is used as a synonym for delete (e.g., "scratch a file" is the same as saying "delete a file").
4. Scratch describes a scuff, nick, or another mark found on a surface of an object. For example, over time a CD (compact disc) or DVD (digital versatile disc) may get scratches on it over time.