From Scratch
When we started FromScratch sessions, as mentioned in a paper by Villasenor and Paz, “the idea was to start the TOPLAP node with a live coding session using the same rules of the Mexico City sessions, to emphasize the writing of the code in real-time.” We knew that the nine-minute FromScratch format would be welcoming for newcomers; it is short, so there is no need to prepare a long set, and it provokes everyone, whether beginner or seasoned live coder, to make mistakes, so it serves to level the playing field. Most importantly, though, in that first session we invented the cardinal rule for our audience: All attendees must applaud at the end of nine minutes (remember that this is for fun). With applause guaranteed and errors not only accepted but appreciated, the FromScratch format lends itself as an ideal meetup activity for people with any level of live coding experience
As of 2025, the format is still a fixture of the community. For upcoming dates, check the Upcoming Dates page!
If you’ve ever wondered whether a FromScratch in Barcelona really happened, or you have a memory you want to preserve, we have an archive of past sessions (that still needs some details to be filled in):