The Howdy Glossary

Visual Logic is a multimedia program crafted to teach programming concepts through flowchart-based logic, allowing students to visually design control structures and data manipulations. The tool offers a hands-on method for understanding algorithms without the necessity of writing code in traditional languages like Java or C++. By enabling step-by-step visualizations of algorithm execution, Visual Logic helps students see the actual code execution as they navigate their created flowcharts.

Developed by David M. Bourgin, a professor at Loyola University in Maryland, Visual Logic was designed as an educational aid to simplify the learning of programming concepts through an interactive and visual medium. The software allows students to construct flowcharts that represent different control structures and data manipulations, providing an accessible way to grasp algorithmic processes. This approach differentiates it from conventional coding methods by offering real-time visual representations of code execution.

Despite facing competition from other educational tools like Scratch, Alice, and Blockly—which also use visual means to teach programming—Visual Logic stands out due to its unique focus on flowchart-based logic. This structured method allows for systematic learning of programming concepts such as algorithms and control structures through step-by-step visualization without writing traditional code. This distinctive feature makes Visual Logic particularly valuable for beginners aiming to build a solid foundation in programming in an engaging and accessible manner.