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T<random>emporary@@@ransnational@@@errestrial@@@ransdimensional@@@emporal</random> Organisation for the P<random>romotion@@@roliferation@@@ermanence@@@urity@@@arsimony@@@ragmatics</random> of Live A<random>lgorithm@@@udioVisual@@@rt@@@rtistic</random> Programming

For a long time computer scientists have been erasing time from programming, and we're now putting it back in.
For a long time computer musicians have been trying to hide the computation in their music, and we're celebrating it.

Live coding is a new direction in electronic music and video: live coders expose and rewire the innards of software while it generates improvised music and/or visuals. All code manipulation is projected for your pleasure. TOPLAP exists to promote it.

Introductory videos

The best introduction to live coding is to watch some.

• Show us your screens by Louis McCallum and Davy Smith is the most recent documentary, featuring interviews with several live coders and live footage
• Algorithms are Thoughts, Chainsaws are Tools is a thoughtful commentary by Stephen Ramsey on a screen cast by Andrew Sorensen.
• Programming, meet music is a classic BBC treatment of live coding.
• Many screencasts of live coders in action are available at our sister website http://livecoding.co.uk/

Discussion

You are most welcome to join our mailing list, where we discuss live coding, share experiences and advertise events over email. You may also ask questions here on the wiki.

Start live coding!

• First thing is to read our Draft Manifesto.
• Familiarise yourself with TOPLAP history and pre-history
• Maybe have a look at things people have written about live coding
• See all the live coding environments available, most are free/open source or freeware, and several come with tutorials and helpful community waiting to answer your questions
• Once you're live coding, make yourself an official TOPLAP member simply by adding yourself to this list.

Or if you don't fancy programming, why not try Live Coding Without Computers

Miscellaneous and older stuff

• ToplapBands - regularly performing live coding bands
• ToplapEvents - fallen into disuse, but of historical interest
• TOPLAP CDs - the shop is down, but copies of the TOPLAP CD still exist
• ToplapStreams - streamed livecoding sessions, haven't take off so far
• Live Coding Practice
• ToplapSlogans
• Resources
• Hackpact - where livecoders + friends made something a day for a month
• Contact

Local websites

• TOPLAP UK - for news of livecoding events around the UK