The Howdy Glossary

LiveCode is an open-source programming language designed for app development, characterized by its human-readable syntax that closely resembles English. Initially named Revolution, the language was developed by Kevin Miller and his team at RunRev Ltd., based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and first released in 2001. LiveCode allows developers to create applications for multiple platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android using a single code base. This capability significantly speeds up development time by combining visual tools with scripting capabilities.

The language aims to simplify app development through its high-level syntax and user-friendly features. By offering visual tools alongside its scripting language, LiveCode makes it accessible to a broad range of developers and facilitates rapid prototyping and application building. Its main purpose is to provide an efficient means of creating cross-platform applications without the need for separate code bases for each platform. This flexibility in multi-platform support was a primary motivation behind LiveCode's creation.

Despite competition from other languages and frameworks like JavaScript (with React Native), Flutter, Xamarin, and Unity—each excelling in various aspects such as web development speed or game development integration—LiveCode distinguishes itself with its combination of human-readable syntax and multi-platform support from a single code base. The inclusion of visual tools further enhances its usability for quick application prototyping. These features collectively position LiveCode as an efficient tool for developers who prioritize readability, speed, and cross-platform versatility in their app development projects.