Non-programmers Identifying Functionality in Unfamiliar Code: Strategies and Barriers

Authors

Paul Gross, Washington University in St Louis
Caitlin Kelleher, Washington University in St LouisFollow

Document Type

Technical Report

Department

Computer Science and Engineering

Publication Date

2009

Filename

wucse-2009-5.pdf

Technical Report Number

wucse-2009-5

Abstract

Source code on the web is a widely available and potentially rich learning resource for non-programmers. 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.

Comments

Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K74M92S7

Recommended Citation

Gross, Paul and Kelleher, Caitlin, "Non-programmers Identifying Functionality in Unfamiliar Code: Strategies and Barriers" Report Number: wucse-2009-5 (2009). All Computer Science and Engineering Research.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cse_research/19