Programming process visualizer
Yoshiaki Matsuzawa, Ken Okada, Sanshiro Sakai · 2013
We have developed a tool that enables learners to observe the process by which they program through visualization of data that are recorded in the source code editor. One purpose of the tool is to assist learners by using the Personal Software Process (PSP) to allow them to analyze the process by which they program by using the tool after completing a programming task. The proposed tool has functions for A) replaying a process using animation; B) automatic calculation of metrics; C) support for inputting subtasks; and D) process analysis report generation. An evaluation experiment was conducted with participants from the second-level introductory programming course at our university. The results were that 1) the accuracy of effort estimation dropped, although we clearly found that the reason for the drop was the difficulty of the second assignment; 2) according to a questionnaire, students reported both the effectiveness of the observation task and the effectiveness of the tool; and 3) there was large differences between students in terms of the description level of subtasks.