P5js

p5.js is an open-source JavaScript library designed for creative coding in the browser. It is part of the Processing family and extends the ideas of Processing to the web, enabling artists, designers, and students to create interactive visuals, animations, and generative art using JavaScript.

A p5.js sketch typically defines a setup function, which runs once, and a draw function, which executes repeatedly to render frames. The library uses the HTML5 canvas API and provides a high-level API for drawing shapes, handling color, typography, images, video, audio, and user input. It supports 2D rendering by default and 3D rendering through WEBGL mode, allowing simple exploration of three-dimensional graphics.

p5.js emphasizes accessibility and education, aiming to lower the barrier to entry for creative coding. It runs entirely in the browser and can be embedded in web pages or used with the official online editor to write, save, and share sketches. It has a growing ecosystem of libraries and extensions, including p5.sound for audio support and various add-ons for interaction and media.

The project is maintained by the Processing Foundation with contributions from a community of developers, and it is released under an open-source license. It is widely used in classrooms, workshops, and artistic installations to teach programming concepts, create interactive visuals, and develop web-based art projects.

Typical usage involves including the p5.js library in a web page or installing it via a package manager, then writing JavaScript code that responds to events such as mouse clicks and keyboard input. The p5.js editor and community resources provide a user-friendly entry point for learners and creators.