A program visualization tool for program comprehension

Author(s):  
M. Ohki ◽  
Y. Hosaka
2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A. Smith ◽  
Geoffrey I. Webb

It is widely agreed that learning to program is difficult. Program visualization tools make visible aspects of program execution which are often hidden from the user. While several program visualization tools aimed at novice programmers have been developed over the past decade there is little empirical evidence showing that novices actually benefit from their use [1]. In this article we describe a “Glass-box Interpreter” called Bradman. An experiment is presented which tests the efficacy of Bradman in assisting novice programmers learn programming concepts. We show that students that used the glass-box interpreter achieved greater understanding of some programming concepts than those without access. We also give evidence that the student's ability to assimilate new concepts was enhanced by exposure to the glass-box interpreter. This is experimental confirmation that such tools are beneficial in helping novices learn programming.


Author(s):  
Sanja Maravić Čisar ◽  
Robert Pinter ◽  
Dragica Radosav

This study was carried out to observe, measure and analyze the effects of using software visualization in teaching programming with participants from two institutions of higher educations in Serbia. Basic programming learning is notorious for complex for many novice students at university level. The visualizations of examples of program code or programming tasks could help students to grasp programming structures more easily. This paper describes an investigation about the possibilities of enhancement of learning Java using the visualization software Jeliot. An analysis of 400 students’ test results indicates that a significant percentage of students had achieved better results when they were using a software visualization tool. In the experience of the authors Jeliot may yield the best results if implemented in with students who are new to the art of programming.


2018 ◽  
Vol E101.D (2) ◽  
pp. 447-454
Author(s):  
Yu YAN ◽  
Kohei HARA ◽  
Takenobu KAZUMA ◽  
Yasuhiro HISADA ◽  
Aiguo HE

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-206
Author(s):  
Roman BEDNARIK ◽  
Andrés MORENO ◽  
Niko MYLLER

10.28945/3237 ◽  
2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teemu Rajala ◽  
Mikko-Jussi Laakso ◽  
Erkki Kaila ◽  
Tapio Salakoski

Program visualization is one of the various methods developed over the years to aid novices with their difficulties in learning to program. It consists of different graphical - often animated - and textual objects, visualizing the execution of programs. The aim of program visualization is to enhance students’ understanding of different areas of program execution. Typical program visualization techniques include code highlighting, visualization of the call stack, and presenting information on variables. Despite the large number of studies performed on program visualization, little is known about the effects of such systems on learning. We have developed a program visualization tool called ViLLE, with the main objective of offering an environment for students to study the execution of example programs - whether written by students themselves or prepared by the teacher - and explore the changes in the program state data structures. A key feature of ViLLE is language independency, including parallel execution of a program in two different languages and the ability to define new languages. ViLLE also provides role information of program variables and supports the design and use of interactive pop-up questions.


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