Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Nature of Code VS p5.js

Compare Nature of Code VS p5.js and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Nature of Code logo Nature of Code

How can we capture the unpredictable evolutionary and emergent properties of nature in software?

p5.js logo p5.js

JS library for creating graphic and interactive experiences
  • Nature of Code Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-28
  • p5.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-22

Nature of Code features and specs

  • Educational Value
    The Nature of Code provides an in-depth look at complex concepts in physics and computation using accessible language and examples, making it a valuable resource for learning.
  • Open Access
    The book is freely available online, allowing a wide audience to benefit from its content without any financial barriers.
  • Hands-on Examples
    The book includes numerous examples and exercises that allow readers to apply concepts directly, enhancing understanding through practice.
  • Creative Coding Focus
    Emphasizes creative exploration of code, which appeals to artists and designers looking to incorporate computational techniques into their work.
  • Interactive Content
    The website offers interactive code examples and simulations, providing an engaging way to experience the concepts in action.

Possible disadvantages of Nature of Code

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Some readers may find the mathematical and programming concepts challenging, especially if they are new to coding or physics.
  • Processing Language
    The book primarily uses the Processing language, which may not be as widely used in professional environments compared to other languages like Python or JavaScript.
  • Limited Scope
    While it covers a range of topics in physics-based simulations, it does not delve deeply into other areas of computational science.
  • Outdated Examples
    Some examples may become outdated as programming languages and libraries evolve, potentially causing issues for readers using newer software versions.

p5.js features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    p5.js simplifies the process of learning and creating interactive graphics with its intuitive syntax, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Web-Based
    As a JavaScript library, p5.js runs directly in the web browser, enabling easy sharing and embedding of interactive sketches online without the need for additional plugins.
  • Creative Coding Community
    p5.js is supported by a vibrant community that shares a plethora of examples, tutorials, and resources, facilitating learning and troubleshooting.
  • Extensibility
    Its modular architecture allows for easy integration with other libraries like p5.sound, p5.dom, and even external JavaScript libraries, enhancing its functionality.
  • Accessibility
    p5.js emphasizes inclusivity, offering features that make it easier to create accessible web content, such as screen reader support.

Possible disadvantages of p5.js

  • Performance
    p5.js may not be as performant as other lower-level graphics libraries or frameworks, which can be a limitation for highly intensive graphical applications.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While beginner-friendly, mastering complex features and fine-tuning performance in p5.js can require significant effort and understanding of JavaScript.
  • Not Ideal for Large Projects
    Due to its simplicity and focus on learning and prototyping, p5.js might not be suitable for large-scale, production-grade applications.
  • Limited 3D Support
    Although p5.js offers 3D rendering capabilities, these are less developed and performant compared to dedicated 3D libraries like Three.js.
  • Dependency on JavaScript
    Since p5.js is built on JavaScript, it inherits the language's limitations and quirks, which might be a hindrance for developers accustomed to other programming languages.

Nature of Code videos

Dan Shiffman Brings You The Nature of Code!

More videos:

  • Review - Nature of Haxe - Prologue A - What is "The Nature of Code"?
  • Review - 4.1: Particle System Simulation - The Nature of Code

p5.js videos

Processing or p5.js? My opinions

More videos:

  • Review - Q&A #1: Side-Scroller in p5.js
  • Tutorial - 17.11: Sound Visualization: Frequency Analysis with FFT - p5.js Sound Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Nature of Code and p5.js)
Open Source
100 100%
0% 0
Javascript UI Libraries
0 0%
100% 100
Education
100 100%
0% 0
Charting Libraries
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Nature of Code and p5.js

Nature of Code Reviews

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p5.js Reviews

20+ JavaScript libraries to draw your own diagrams (2022 edition)
A JS client-side library for creating graphics and interactive experiences, based on the core principles of Processing to make coding accessible to artists, designers and educators. Beyond drawing, this project provides offers web audio functionality, collision detection and even generation of graphical user interfaces from p5.js sketches.
8 Best Free and Open-Source Drawing Libraries in JavaScript
The p5.js library is a great option for people who are looking for a library that doesn't have a steep learning curve, but which can create very complicated systems if necessary. The get started with P5.js page on the official website has a functional example that draws circles wherever you move your mouse in only a few lines of code.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, p5.js should be more popular than Nature of Code. It has been mentiond 146 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Nature of Code mentions (27)

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p5.js mentions (146)

  • Ask HN: Who Are Your Favorite Photography and Generative Coding Artists?
    p5.js is a JavaScript library that I've enjoyed messing with. It's related to Processing. https://p5js.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Art Blocks and the Future of Open Source with Blockchain
    Art Blocks, founded by Erick Calderon in 2020, is a platform that enables artists to create generative art using blockchain technology. It operates on the Ethereum blockchain, leveraging smart contracts to mint unique art pieces as NFTs. The process begins with artists submitting scripts that define the artwork's parameters. Once approved, these scripts generate unique pieces upon purchase, offering collectors a... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Rant: state of generative AI in code generation.
    In my experience with AI code generation, in visual projects like UI development or JavaScript based animation (using three.js or p5.js) etc. AI tools work pretty well. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Procedural Generation and Noise
    For this most recent assignment we were tasked with contributing a larger feature to an open source project. During my time with the previous assignment I worked on a game engine called Litecanvas, inspired engine by libraries like raylib and p5.js/Processing. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Antirez/load81: SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea
    Let’s not forget P5js which has a long and esteemed history of helping to teach kids and more to program. It’s browser based so it’s compatible with every OS and requires no install. FOSS with an active community of users and contributors. I personally taught some middle schoolers with zero programming experience how to make interactive monsters in 1 hour. It was awesome! https://p5js.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Nature of Code and p5.js, you can also consider the following products

The Coding Train - Online learning resource for beginner-friendly creative coding tutorials and challenges.

Pixi.js - Fast lightweight 2D library that works across all devices

Processing - C++ and Java programming at the speed of thought.

CodeGym.cc - CodeGym.cc is an online Java programming course that is 80% based on practice.

Three.js - A JavaScript 3D library which makes WebGL simpler.

CodeCombat - Learn programming with a multiplayer live coding strategy game.