Document Type

Technical Report

Department

Computer Science and Engineering

Publication Date

2009

Filename

wucse-2009-5.pdf

DOI:

10.7936/K74M92S7

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

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