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Protocol analysis of a novice programmer

Published:01 September 1992Publication History
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Abstract

This study examined the problem solving of a novice programmer writing a first draft of an elementary computer program. The latter stages of entering and debugging the program were not part of the analysis. A detailed analysis of the tape-recorded protocol confirmed the major themes of the research on novice problem solving. Some characteristics specific to programming were also identified. In particular, the subject emphasized the syntax of the language, showed little advanced planning, and organized her programming information in the order it had been presented in class. There were distinct phases of (a) understanding the problem, (b) devising a plan, and (c) carrying out the plan. There was also evidence of both positive and negative transfer from what the student had previously learned in class. A number of practical guidelines for teaching novices to program emerged from the analysis and the literature.

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  1. Protocol analysis of a novice programmer

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            cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin
            ACM SIGCSE Bulletin  Volume 24, Issue 3
            Sept. 1992
            69 pages
            ISSN:0097-8418
            DOI:10.1145/142040
            Issue’s Table of Contents

            Copyright © 1992 Author

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            Association for Computing Machinery

            New York, NY, United States

            Publication History

            • Published: 1 September 1992

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