Processing Media with Processing (Beta)

Processing allows the creation of interactive applications and can handle input from the mouse, keyboard or other devices and react to it accordingly.  You can also add GUI behavior by creating roll-over, button and scroll bar functionality or web functionality with the use of embedded hyperlinks and status bar messages.  You can also open files and save files programmatically and with relative ease, and work with time and date functions.

If you want to get involved with the project, there is a lot you can do to contribute.  Processing is still in Beta stage and to get version 1.0 released quickly, the community requires much assistance.  You can help refine the code by fixing bugs in the software.  A bug database is provided, as is CVS source for you to work from.  If you find bugs, these can be fed back to the community as well.

As Processing was developed for teaching, you can help by running courses and workshops to teach the language to others.  The core language can be extended very easily through writing additional libraries and if you do this, it is recommended that you share these new libraries with the community.  Processing gurus are always required to help out in the forums by answering questions that those new to the language may post and if you use Processing, you are invited to share your creations in the exhibition section of the site to promote inspiration and expertise.

All in all Processing is a wonderful tool that allows non-programmers to express ideas in a visual format.  It gives you everything you need to get going and provides an excellent platform for designers, students or hobbyists to learn the fundamentals of programming or the foundations of Java quickly and easily.  Processing is maintained by dedicated enthusiasts and professionals and in addition to the huge reference and example library there is an active online forum for expert help and advice, so it's very easy for anyone to get involved.