Visual Programming Spreading To The Web

MaxMSP is a great tool for creating interactive experiences using a method of programming similar to a flow diagram. You simply position the objects on the canvas and connect them in order to accomplish a goal. I used this program to create the Shoutbox application.

Recently I have discovered Yahoo Pipes which is a web based program allowing you to create a custom web 2.0 application using a library of existing APIs and filters from Google, Yahoo, Flickr and loads more. The surprising thing is that it also uses a visual programming style in order to simplify the experience and open it up to developers who are not as well versed in the various development languages.

I have only just starting using it but I will post whatever it is that I make. Check it out for yourselves at http://pipes.yahoo.com/