A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions

Robert Holwerda; Felienne Hermans

doi:10.1109/VLHCC.2018.8506483

A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions

Robert Holwerda
, Felienne Hermans

Software Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

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
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	https://doi.org/10.1109/VLHCC.2018.8506483
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
Country/Territory	Portugal
City	Lisbon
Period	1/10/18 → 4/10/18

Keywords

Blocks-based languages
Cognitive dimensions
End-user development
Programmer experience

Access to Document

10.1109/VLHCC.2018.8506483

Cite this

Holwerda, R., & Hermans, F. (2018). A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions. In C. Kelleher, G. Engels, J. P. Fernandes, J. Cunha, & J. Mendes (Eds.), Proceedings - 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018 (Vol. 2018-October, pp. 217-225). Article 8506483 IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/VLHCC.2018.8506483

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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.",

keywords = "Blocks-based languages, Cognitive dimensions, End-user development, Programmer experience",

author = "Robert Holwerda and Felienne Hermans",

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booktitle = "Proceedings - 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018",

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Holwerda, R & Hermans, F 2018, A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions. in C Kelleher, G Engels, JP Fernandes, J Cunha & J Mendes (eds), Proceedings - 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018. vol. 2018-October, 8506483, IEEE, pp. 217-225, 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018, Lisbon, Portugal, 1/10/18. https://doi.org/10.1109/VLHCC.2018.8506483

A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions. / Holwerda, Robert; Hermans, Felienne.
Proceedings - 2018 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2018. ed. / C. Kelleher; G. Engels; J.P. Fernandes; J. Cunha; J Mendes. Vol. 2018-October IEEE, 2018. p. 217-225 8506483.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

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ER -

A usability analysis of blocks-based programming editors using cognitive dimensions

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Keywords

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