Processing
Processing is an open source programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) built for the electronic arts and visual design communities with the purpose of teaching the basics of computer programming in a visual context, and to serve as the foundation for electronic sketchbooks.
Over 100 libraries extend the software into sound, video, computer vision, and more...Sources: http://www.processing.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing_%28programming_language%29
The quote below lends insight into the qualities of Processing and what exactly it's commonly used for.
The Venice, California-based company Motion Theory was among the first design firms to use Processing in their work. “We first used it in an R.E.M. video five years ago,” explains Motion Theory co-founder Mathew Cullen. “We wanted to try Processing for the video because we were exploring very abstract concepts related to visualizing superstrings, emotion and other forces we can’t see. Processing offered us a way to explore some new looks that we couldn’t possibly hand animate.”Source: http://www.suebamforddesign.co.uk/ba_interactive/index.htm
Interactive Installations
These are some of my favourite Processing-specific installations. Many more can be found by filtering videos by the 'processing.org' tag on Vimeo; http://vimeo.com/tag:processing.org/sort:plays/format:video.
"Body Paint"
Augmented Reality
Processing Controlled by an iPhone
Identity Application Demo
Open Processing
For live examples of Processing capabilities from the public, check out Open Processing!
OpenProcessing is an online community platform devoted to sharing and discussing Processing sketches in a collaborative, open-source environment.Source: http://www.openprocessing.org