Method of converting source code in a universal hybrid programming environment

Abstract

A method and system for providing a hybrid block and text-based programming environment. The hybrid block and text-based programming environment provides a software development tool suitable for users of different programming skill levels to write and understand code. The hybrid programming environment enables a user to view and edit source code through multiple graphical representative displays of the source code in a manner not previously achievable. Each of the graphical representative displays is linked to a particular programming view that has a unique set of rules related to the functionality of the displayed graphical elements to enable the more comprehensive functionality. The graphical representative displays provide a tool to educate novice programmers as they become more proficient and assist in the transition between block-based and textual representations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for conversion of source code between a computer language and a natural language comprising:
 acquiring, using a processor of a computing device, source code selected for conversion;   parsing, using the processor, source code written in the computer language, with a parser, and identifying syntactic elements to be localized comprising the group consisting of identifiers, parameters, conditions, function calls, commas, spaces, parenthesis and combinations thereof; and   receiving, from a user a desired localization in the natural language for the syntactic elements to be localized wherein each syntactic element of the syntactic elements comprises one or more of the group consisting of identifiers, parameters, conditions, function calls, commas, spaces, parenthesis and combinations thereof, and is capable of being substituted for a localized string.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the localized string comprises an empty string. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 storing localized syntactic elements in a data structure for retrieval;   parsing additional source code written in the computer language with a parser and identifying syntactic elements to be localized comprising one or more of the group consisting of identifiers, parameters, conditions, function calls, commas, spaces, parenthesis and combinations thereof;   retrieving the localized syntactic elements;   applying the localized syntactic elements to the additional source code; and   presenting a localized version of the source code comprising the additional source code to a user.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising presenting, using the processor and a graphical user interface, the localized version of the source code to a user using graphical blocks or frames.