Pure Data vs. Chuck

Pure Data is the the open-source creation of  Miller Puckette (also authour of Max/msp). It is a visual form (gui) of programming audio using objects that are patched together in an attempt to re-create a patchable analogue synth, this type of coding is often called a 'Dataflow programming language'. Pure Data is an object-based code, that is to say it is centered around manipulating entitys such as variables, functions or values to produce the desired outcome.

Chuck is a far less intuitive program, namely as it is presented as a Command Line Interface (CLI), although efforts have been made to increase the readability of the code. Being a CLI the correct syntax has to be learnt making it slower (potentially only initially) than PD to operate however it differs from normal programming in that it runs in realtime, this means that the program does not need to stop running to be altered.

Similarly to PD it is an object based language taking elements of C+ + and Java to form its own language, it still uses classes, arrays and types.

Offering as much control, if not more, over the sound as Pure Data it is a powerful program for synthesis.


Overall the two programs are very similar in the way they run, it is the way they are presented that differs. Pure Data is designed to hide the majority of its workings and present a clear and instantly recognisable interface whereas ChucK is the workings and is a deeper form of synthesis and composition.


Apparently there is a ChucK theme song too!