Gaze strategies can reveal the impact of source code features on the cognitive load of novice programmers

Andreas Wulff-Jensen*, Kevin Ruder, Evangelia Triantafyllou, Luis Emilio Bruni

*Kontaktforfatter

Publikation: Bidrag til bog/antologi/rapport/konference proceedingKonferenceartikel i proceedingForskningpeer review

5 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

As shown by several studies, programmers’ readability of source code is influenced by its structural and the textual features. In order to assess the importance of these features, we conducted an eye-tracking experiment with programming students. To assess the readability and comprehensibility of code snippets, the test subjects were exposed to four different snippets containing or missing structural and/or textual elements. To assure that all subjects were at an equivalent level of expertise, their programming skills were also evaluated. During the eye-tracking experiment, the subjects were also asked to give a readability and comprehensibility score to each snippet. The absence of textual features showed to increase the average fixation duration. This indicates that for the test subjects the textual features were more essential for the comprehension of the code. Gaze pattern analysis revealed less ordered patterns in the absence of structural features compared to the absence of textual features.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TitelAdvances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering - Proceedings of the AHFE 2018 International Conference on Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering : Proceedings of the AHFE 2018 International Conference on Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering, July 21–25, 2018, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida USA
Antal sider10
ForlagSpringer
Publikationsdato1 jan. 2019
Sider91-100
ISBN (Trykt)978-3-319-94865-2
ISBN (Elektronisk)978-3-319-94866-9
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 jan. 2019
BegivenhedAHFE International Conference on Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering, 2018 - Orlando, USA
Varighed: 21 jul. 201825 jul. 2018

Konference

KonferenceAHFE International Conference on Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering, 2018
Land/OmrådeUSA
ByOrlando
Periode21/07/201825/07/2018
NavnAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Vol/bind775
ISSN2194-5357

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