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Announcing Processing 4.3.1

Raphaël de Courville edited this page Dec 17, 2024 · 9 revisions

Announcing the Release of Processing 4.3.1

Today, we’re excited to announce the release of Processing 4.3.1!

👉 Download Processing 4.3.1 here!

If you need help installing Processing on your machine, follow these instructions.

Alt text: Screenshot of a desktop environment showing a browser with the Processing Download page, the Processing editor with the Embedding Iteration example open, and a running sketch of converging white lines on a black background

Testing this release

We have tested this release on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi to the best of our ability, but there may still be bugs we didn’t catch. This is where you come in! please download Processing 4.3.1 and take it for a spin.

Here are a few things you can do to help: run your existing sketches, run some of the included examples, and explore existing tools, libraries, and modes.

If you encounter any issues or have feedback, please report them as issues on the new Processing4 repository.

What’s new in 4.3.1?

Though you might not notice big visible changes yet, this version makes Processing easier to maintain and release. Here are some of the key improvements happening with this release that will create a better experience for contributors and make updates smoother.

Simplified Feedback and Bug Reporting

Our new issue templates offer a more consistent way for users to share feedback and report bugs. This will make it easier for maintainers to review bug reports and address issues.

Screenshot of a browser window showing the processing/processing4 repository’s issue templates, including Found a bug, Existing Feature Enhancement, and New Feature Requests.

Automated Builds

Processing now builds and signs code automatically using GitHub Actions. This will make future updates simpler and more reliable, by reducing the chances of human error and speeding up the build process. Curious developers can find the release script on GitHub.

Screenshot of a GitHub Actions workflow for the repository `processing/processing` showing a successful run for Processing 4.3.1. The workflow name is `release.yml,` triggered by SableRaf publishing release `processing-1294-4.3.1.` The status indicates `Success`. A job summary is displayed on the left with 8 completed jobs, including publishing releases for Linux (arm, x64, aarch64), Windows (x64), macOS (x64, aarch64), and Maven Central. The flow diagram on the right shows `version` and publishing steps, concluding with all jobs completed. The interface includes standard GitHub navigation options at the top.

Processing Core on Maven

Processing’s core libraries are now available on Maven Central! This makes it easier to integrate Processing into your Java projects using tools like Maven or Gradle. Check out examples for adding Processing core to your build system here.

Simplified Local Setup

We’ve made it easier to set up a local development environment, including configuration files for IntelliJ and updated documentation. Learn more here.

Adopting the All-Contributors Specification

Processing is adopting the all-contributors specification, recognizing all forms of contributions, not just code! This includes teaching, writing tutorials/curriculums, creating examples, offering community support, and many other ways. Check the contributors list on the Readme, and if you don’t see your name, please add yourself by commenting on this GitHub issue.

Screenshot of a browser window showing the processing/processing4 repository’s README file, focused on the Contributors section, with a grid of contributors’ profiles pictures and names.

Improved Contributor Documentation

We are working on our contributor documentation to make it easier for first time contributors to get started. We are starting with a more inviting README, a new Code of Conduct, and improved Contribution Guidelines.

Creating Libraries Made Easier

Many Processing contributors got their start by building libraries. To make this process simpler, Claudine Chen developed an improved system for building and submitting libraries. Visit the Processing Library Template repository to learn more and maybe start making your own Processing library!

What's Next? A Public Roadmap!

Developers will appreciate our new public roadmap! It outlines priorities and plans for Processing from a more technical standpoint. These plans include even better CI/CD, full migration to Gradle, a new Command Line Interface, and possible ways forward for the PDE, among other exciting developments. If you have questions about any of the items listed in the roadmap, feel free to ask in the corresponding issues.

Screenshot of a browser window showing the Processing Roadmap. With columns for Backlog, To do, In progress, Testing, and Done. Tasks are labelled with various priority levels target version, and other metadata.

Join the Processing Contributor Community Discord

We have created a new space for conversations about the future of Processing. If you’re interested in getting involved, consider joining the Processing Contributors Community Discord: https://discord.gg/8pFwMVATh8

Acknowledgments

Processing was initiated in 2001 by Ben Fry and Casey Reas, who lead the development and maintenance of the project until 2023. We are grateful for their vision and dedication to the project. Processing is also indebted to over two decades of contributions from the broader Processing community.

This 4.3.1 release would not be possible without the support and collective wisdom of the Processing Community. A heartfelt thanks to Sam Pottinger, Stef Tervelde, Kate Hollenbach, Andres Colubri, Xin Xin, Roxana Hadad, Kevin Stadler, Roopa Vasudevan, Rune Madsen, Claudine Chen, Diya Solanki, Dora Do, Sinan Ascioglu, Sam Lavigne, Ted Davis, Justin ‘Cacheflowe’ Gitlin, Kazik Pogoda, Abe Pazos, Amy Traylor, Jim Schmitz, Chris Coleman, Dave Pagurek, Edwin Jakobs, Jakub Valtar, Phoenix Perry, Qianqian Ye, Rachel Lim, Nick Fox-Gieg, Tim Rodenbröker, Stig Møller Hansen, Alexandre B A Villares, Nick McIntyre, Alex (SPACEFILLER), Tetsu Kondo, Pau (plopez01), Katsuya Endoh and many more.

Special thanks to Jérémy Laviole for his help with the org.processing namespace on Maven Central, and to the Sonatype support team for their assistance.

Additional thanks to my amazing Processing Foundation colleagues for their support, to the OSACC crowd for their ideas and enthusiasm, and to the Creative Code Berlin community for being a constant source of inspiration. My personal gratitude to Casey for his patient mentorship over the last two years, and to Dan for his kindness, encouragement, and for, you know, just being the best.

Raphaël de Courville

Processing Community Lead