The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

visual programming environment

   Software which allows the use of visual expressions (such as
   graphics, drawings, animation or icons) in the process of
   programming.  These visual expressions may be used as
   graphical interfaces for textual programming languages.  They
   may be used to form the syntax of new visual programming
   languages leading to new paradigms such as programming by
   demonstration or they may be used in graphical presentations
   of the behaviour or structure of a program.

   (1995-02-23)