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Non-programmers identifying functionality in unfamiliar code: strategies and barriers (2010)
| Venue: | JVLC |
| Citations: | 10 - 4 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Gross10non-programmersidentifying,
author = {Paul Gross and Caitlin Kelleher},
title = {Non-programmers identifying functionality in unfamiliar code: strategies and barriers},
journal = {JVLC},
year = {2010}
}
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Abstract
Source code on the web is a widely available and potentially rich learning resource for nonprogrammers. However, unfamiliar code can be daunting to end-users without programming experience. This paper describes the results of an exploratory study in which we asked non-programmers to find and modify the code responsible for specific functionality within unfamiliar programs. We present two interacting models of how non-programmers approach this problem: the Task Process Model and the Landmark-Mapping model. Using these models, we describe code search strategies non-programmers employed and the difficulties they encountered. Finally, we propose guidelines for future programming environments that support non-programmers in finding functionality in unfamiliar programs. 1.
