WeScheme

Notes on how WeScheme is different from DrRacket.

WeScheme is a browser-based version of Racket. It works well for at least the first semester of Intermediate Computer Science.

Special notes for WeScheme users

You can use WeScheme if you cannot install DrRacket. For example, if you have a Chromebook for your home computer.

There are a few differences:

  • Omit the (require picturing-programs) line.

  • Instead of copy and pasting in a picture, you need to copy the link for the image and use bitmap/url like this:

      (bitmap/url "https://www.what-dog.net/Images/faces2/main004.jpg")
    
  • (Chapter 1) Use the Chapter 1 WeScheme starter code.

  • (Chapter 3) Use the Chapter 3 WeScheme starter code.

  • (Chapter 6) Inside big-bang you need to use the phrase to-draw instead of on-draw that we use in DrRacket.

    (define (draw-handler model)
        (overlay model (empty-scene 300 200)))
    (define (tick-handler model)
        (scale 1.01 model))
    
    (big-bang (circle 10 "solid" "green")
              (on-tick tick-handler)
              (to-draw draw-handler))

  • (Chapters 7 and 15) Use the Chapter 7 WeScheme starter code.

Google Docs Backups

Many students keep “backups” of their work by copy and pasting it into Google Docs. That is fine. If you intend to write code in Google Docs, you need to turn off smart quotes. (Click to enlarge.)

Last modified December 5, 2025: WeScheme starter: build-image. (38f5f55)