Code Tracing Support Environment Based on Visualization of Cooperative Behavior of Multiple-Flows

Abstract

Several studies have been conducted to improve program comprehension through code tracing. However, most of these studies have focused on a single flow of control, with insufficient proposals to support program comprehension of multiple flows of control. It is difficult for novices to trace code with multiple flows in the correct order. In this study, we propose a code trace support environment for letting learners to trace the appropriate flow in execution with synchronization constraints. It also supports the component-based comprehension of synchronization mechanisms in multiple flows. The evaluation experiment confirmed the learning effect of understanding the appropriate order of steps. However, several issues regarding the component-based comprehension have been identified.