A technique for making structured programs more readable

Clifton, Mitchell H.

doi:10.1145/953411.953415

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…To facilitate source code understanding, it is important to maximise the readability of the textual representation of the code [8]. Previous studies [9], [10] have shown that the typographic appearance of source code can influence the speed and accuracy of comprehension, by making the structural and syntactical composition of source code more visible (e.g.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scoped: Evaluating A Composite Visualisation of the Scope Chain Hierarchy Within Source Code

Bacher¹,

Namee

Kelleher³

2018

2018 IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization (VISSOFT)

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This paper presents two studies that evaluate the effectiveness of a software visualisation tool which uses a composite visualisation to encode the scope chain and information related to the scope chain within source code. The first study evaluates the effectiveness of adding the composite visualisation to a source code editor to help programmers understand scope relationships within source code. The second study evaluates the effectiveness of each individual component within the composite visualisation. The composite visualisation is composed of a packed circle tree diagram (overview component) and a list view (detail view component). The packed circle tree functions as an abstract mini-map to provide viewers with a high-level overview of the scope chain hierarchy within a source code document. The list view provides additional information about identifiers (variables, functions, and parameters) that are accessible from the scope within which the cursor is located, in the source code document. Both studies utilise a between-subject design, in which groups of participants were presented with source code fragments and asked to answer a series of code understanding questions. The results of the studies indicate that adding a composite visualisation to a source code editor can have a positive effect on code understanding, especially when the textual representation of the code no longer corresponds to the actual behaviour of the code (as is the case, for example, in languages such as JavaScript that implement variable hoisting).

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Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scoped: Evaluating A Composite Visualisation of the Scope Chain Hierarchy Within Source Code

Bacher¹,

Namee

Kelleher³

2018

2018 IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization (VISSOFT)

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“…Until recently, most approaches to improving code readability and usability have been created in support of text-based programs. Some of the most common involve indentation [4], coding style [13], variable naming [17], modulation [8], and the application of context to improve productivity [10]. Most current block editors provide 4 primary block functions for managing project complexity [16][17]20].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shelves: A User-Defined Block Management Tool for Visual Programming Languages

Hsu¹,

Lou²,

Jung³

et al. 2017

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2017

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Block editors such as the one used in Scratch are now found in many visual programming languages (VPLs). While considered user-friendly for nonprogrammers or program learners, they have at least three important display limitations: readability, program structure, and re-use. To address these issues we have developed block shelves, a formatting and organizing tool in support of user-defined VPL structures. Usability experiment results indicate that block shelves can significantly enhance block code navigation and searches, as well as project structure clarification. In the interest of improving project collaboration and code re-use, users can utilize the extensible markup language file format to export/import shelves, and thereby share block codes between projects. Features designed for shelves and the experiment findings are value for course design in project-based learning and future block editor interface improvements.

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“…This idea was developed by Clifton [1 ] as "connector-lines technique" . So, th e underlying idea in our scheme is tha t programmers can "see" the logical structure o f the program and can determine the limits o f the differents structures .…”

Section: Sigcsementioning

confidence: 99%

Tool for making programs more readable

Arab

1991

SIGCSE Bull.

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Until recently, the researchers in the C.R.I.S.S Research Center dealing particularly with teaching beginners the writing of Pascal programs meet some problems concerning the presentation of the programs. The Pascal language is a structured one, the teachers wants to provide a model of the presentation of the Pascal program which facilites the correction and make the program readable by other programers. We propose an automatic formatting programs for responding to this aim. Results have been positive. The students produce organized programs and the presentation provided helps the students in the detection of bad constructs and the teachers in having a readable programs which are presented in the same way by the students.

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A technique for making structured programs more readable

Cited by 17 publications

References 4 publications

Scoped: Evaluating A Composite Visualisation of the Scope Chain Hierarchy Within Source Code

Scoped: Evaluating A Composite Visualisation of the Scope Chain Hierarchy Within Source Code

Shelves: A User-Defined Block Management Tool for Visual Programming Languages

Tool for making programs more readable

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