Abstract
Blocks-based programming holds potential for end-user developers. Like all visual programming languages, blocks-based programming languages embody both a language design and a user interface design for the editing environment. For blocks-based languages, these designs are focused on learnability and low error rates, which makes them effective for education. For end-user developers who program as part of their professions, other characteristics of usability, like efficiency of use, will also be important. This paper presents a usability analysis, supported by a user study, of the editor design of current blocks-based programming systems, based on the Cognitive Dimensions of Notations framework, and we present design manoeuvres aimed at improving programming time and effort, program comprehension and programmer comfort.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings - 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018 |
Editors | C. Kelleher, G. Engels, J.P. Fernandes, J. Cunha, J Mendes |
Publisher | IEEE |
Pages | 217-225 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Volume | 2018-October |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-5386-4235-1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Event | 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018 - Lisbon, Portugal Duration: 1 Oct 2018 → 4 Oct 2018 |
Conference
Conference | 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018 |
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Country/Territory | Portugal |
City | Lisbon |
Period | 1/10/18 → 4/10/18 |
Keywords
- Blocks-based languages
- Cognitive dimensions
- End-user development
- Programmer experience