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Processing.js VS p5.js

Compare Processing.js VS p5.js and see what are their differences

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Processing.js logo Processing.js

Processing.js is an open programming language, port of the ...

p5.js logo p5.js

JS library for creating graphic and interactive experiences
  • Processing.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16
  • p5.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-22

Processing.js features and specs

  • Easy Transition from Processing
    Processing.js allows developers familiar with the Processing programming language to easily transition their applications to the web environment without needing to rewrite significant portions of code.
  • Web-based Graphics
    Developers can leverage Processing.js to create visually appealing graphics that run directly in a web browser, eschewing the need for additional software like Java applets.
  • Interactive Visualizations
    The library supports dynamic and interactive visualizations, making it ideal for projects that require animated graphics and user interaction.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Processing.js fosters a community-driven development model where developers can contribute to and expand the library’s capabilities.
  • Quick Setup
    Processing.js requires only a simple script inclusion to start developing, making it relatively easy and quick to set up for those wanting to prototype graphics quickly.

Possible disadvantages of Processing.js

  • Performance Overhead
    Running animations and graphics through a JavaScript library in the browser can have performance limitations, especially when dealing with complex or resource-intensive tasks.
  • Browser Compatibility Issues
    Processing.js can have compatibility issues with different web browsers, which can lead to inconsistent visualizations across platforms.
  • Limited Community and Support
    The library has a relatively smaller user base compared to more recent JavaScript graphics libraries, meaning less community support and fewer updates.
  • Deprecated
    The project is effectively deprecated, as it hasn't received updates in recent years, and modern alternatives like p5.js offer more features and active development.
  • Not Full JavaScript Utility
    Since it's primarily designed to replicate the Processing language, it may not always take full advantage of typical JavaScript idioms or integrate seamlessly with other JavaScript frameworks.

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.

Processing.js videos

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p5.js videos

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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 Processing.js and p5.js)

Processing.js

p5.js

Javascript UI Libraries
7 7%
Javascript UI Libraries
93% 93
Flowcharts
14 14%
Flowcharts
86% 86
Charting Libraries
6 6%
Charting Libraries
94% 94
Org Charts
100 100%
Org Charts
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

Processing.js Reviews

The Best Data Visualization Tools - Top 30 BI Software
Processing.js is a JavaScript library that uses the Processing visual programming language. It is web-oriented and lets you bring the power of Processing to create data visualizations for your web pages. Processing.js requires an HTML5-compatible browser to work.
Source: improvado.io

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.
Source: modeling-languages.com
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.
Source: code.tutsplus.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, p5.js seems to be a lot more popular than Processing.js. While we know about 146 links to p5.js, we've tracked only 1 mention of Processing.js. 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.

Processing.js mentions (1)

  • What are the main differences between processing.js and processing.py?
    With processing.js I think you mean p5.js, since the development of processing.js has been archived in 2018 (https://github.com/processing-js/processing-js ). Source: over 2 years ago

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 / 2 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 / 2 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 / 3 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 / 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Processing.js and p5.js, you can also consider the following products

Paper.js - Open source vector graphics scripting framework that runs on top of the HTML5 Canvas.

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

GoJS - GoJS is a JavaScript library for building interactive diagrams on HTML web pages. Build apps with flowcharts, org charts, BPMN, UML, modeling, and other visual graph types.

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

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

Konva - Konva is 2d Canvas JavaScript framework for drawings shapes, animations, node nesting, layering, filtering, event handling, drag and drop and much more.

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