Glossary for screen reader in MakeCode

The glossary includes words that are used when using Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit with a screen reader, including definitions for concepts that are otherwise identified visually, such as the shapes of blocks.

Read the glossary below with a screen reader or download the file and print it on a braille embosser. Ensure you maintain the indentation from the Word document as this communicates the structure of the program.

Code

Code: Instructions that a computer can run.

Program: A set of instructions written in code that performs a given task.

Block: Part of a program that can be moved and connected to other blocks.

Statement block: An instruction for an action such as playing a sound.

Input: Part of a block that can be modified.

Replaceable: Inputs which can accept a value block are replaceable.

Value block: A block that can provide a value for an input. Value blocks have a rounded shape.

Container block: A block that can have other blocks inside it. Some container blocks, such as ‘repeat block’, can be placed inside other container blocks.

Block stack: A group of blocks connected in order. It can include container blocks.

Stackable block: A block that can be connected to other blocks in a stack. Stackable blocks include statement blocks, and some container blocks including ‘if’ blocks and ‘repeat’ blocks.

Event block: A container block that will run once an event is triggered. Event blocks cannot be placed inside other container blocks and are not stackable.

Boolean block: A value block that returns true or false. Boolean blocks have a hexagonal shape.

'If' block: A special kind of container block that has an ‘if’ branch. It can also have multiple ‘else if’ branches and a single ‘else’ branch. Each ‘if’ and ‘else if’ branch has a condition with a Boolean input. The blocks in a branch run if its condition is true when the code runs. The blocks in the ‘else’ branch run if none of the conditions for the previous branches are true.

micro:bit

micro:bit: A tiny computer with buttons, sensors, a speaker, and an LED display.

MakeCode

MakeCode editor for micro:bit: Where you use code blocks to create programs for the micro:bit.

Workspace: Contains code blocks which, when connected, make a program.

Toolbox: Contains code blocks organised into categories, also called sections.

Category: A section in the toolbox.

Download: Copy a program onto the micro:bit to run it.

Reset: Restart your program on the micro:bit and the ‘on start’ block will run again.

Simulator: Runs programs in MakeCode on a computer.

‘Play melody’ 8 notes block: The first block in the Music category. It offers an interactive editor for melodies of eight notes.

‘Play sound effect’ block: The second block under the micro:bit (V2) heading in the Music category. It has an interactive editor for creating sound effects by changing input values.