Implementation request: show connector types of each block

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Dear all,

I was wondering if it is possible to show the connector types of each block. In 
my case lots of blocks have restriction, so that only one or two types are 
allowed. therefore lots of blocks exist which can't be connected to each other. 
Without any indication users may have problems to find fitting blocks and have 
to search endlessly until they find a fitting one (if they don't give up 
earlier).

An idea could be to put the input/output connector- and statement 
connector-types into the tooltip of each block. the User can see what kind of 
block (or connector type) is required and choose an appropriate one.

Maybe you have other ideas to implement it in a different way or show it 
somewhere else?!

In anyway I would be pleased if something in this direction could happen. 

Best regards
Marc Wollenweber 

Original issue reported on code.google.com by borntob...@googlemail.com on 12 Jan 2013 at 9:36

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Early in App Inventor's development we tested using a variety of connector 
types (similar to Scratch).  We found it confusing, and chose one connector 
style instead.  Blockly inherited this decision.

However, even accepting that Blockly's primary use-case doesn't benefit from 
multiple connection styles (a premise I'm not convinced about), other use-cases 
may benefit.  We could add a hard-coded selection of shapes to choose from, 
such as puzzle, round, angle, and square.  All the above would need to be 
programmed for both LTR and RTL modes.  I think that would work well.

Another option I'm less enthusiastic about is dynamic shape generation.  There 
is a project at MIT that uses (fractal?) algorithms to create as many connector 
styles as are needed.  The result is a bit weird IMHO.

Original comment by neil.fra...@gmail.com on 16 Jan 2013 at 3:32

• Added labels: Type-Enhancement
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Instead of shapes, what about different colours around the connector?

Original comment by primary....@gmail.com on 30 Jul 2014 at 9:29