Gaze strategies can reveal the impact of source code features on the cognitive load of novice programmers
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review
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.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Advances in 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 |
Editors | Hasan Ayaz, Lukasz Mazur |
Number of pages | 10 |
Place of Publication | Orlando |
Publisher | Springer |
Publication date | 2018 |
Pages | 91-100 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3-319-94865-2 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-319-94866-9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Series | Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing |
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Volume | 775 |
ISSN | 2194-5357 |
- Faculty of Science - Eye-tracking, Code features, Readability, Programming, Programmer
Research areas
Links
- https://rdcu.be/c1JTT
Final published version
ID: 315573173