Design and evaluation of Java debugging and tracing materials

• Main Authors: Chen-Hsiang Yang, 楊禎祥
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/91573931974196844316

碩士 === 國立雲林科技大學 === 資訊管理系碩士班 === 99 === Programming language is an important subject in the field of information management. However, learners from different backgrounds can have varying degrees of difficulty when learning a new programming language. Moreover, for learners with few experiences, debugging a buggy program can be very frustrating. As a result, reducing the frustration through training learners on how to debug and trace a program is important for learners to overcome difficulties in learning programming. Unfortunately, few text book and learning materials exists that focuses on helping learners to acquire debugging and tracing abilities. This study aims at designing a Java debugging and tracing material and compares its effectiveness with software-assisted tracer and debugger. A group of 72 students from the Department of Information Management of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology are divided into three groups: active, passive, and no-assistance. After receiving lecture and practicing exercises on Loop, the active group studies additional debugging and tracing material designed by this study, the passive group observes how programs are executed using a visual tracer, and the no-assistance group reviews the lecture material. A post-test is then given to all the students. The result shows that Java debugging and tracing material designed by this study is more helpful for middle to low level students; whereas, visual tracer is more helpful for upper level students.