Description:

Trying to understand a large, unknown computer codebase is a challenging task. Currently, developers use Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) to navigate through a codebase while trying to connect different parts of the system. While the tools in an IDE can help, they still rely on people being able to build a mental map of the code. Another approach is to use people's spatial abilities to help with this process. Potentially, codes editor could allow developers to position code in ways that help them see paths between different components.

In this project, you will extend a spatial code editor to evaluate new directions to help programmers understand code. As this project extends an existing project, you can either suggest your own ideas or use some of the suggestions from the previous iteration. You will then evaluate the system with programmers to test the effectiveness of the system and whether it helps programmers understand code better than a traditional IDE.

This project builds on a previous iteration of this from last year.

Type:

Undergraduate

Outcome:

Over this project, you will:

• Extend a web-based code editor,
• Explore how people build spatial relationships between entities,
• Learn how to run an evaluation study and evaluate the results,
• And expand your ability to understand computer program code.

 

Prerequisites

Knowledge of JavaScript and web-based programming.

Specialisations

• Software Engineering

Categories

• Software Development Tools and Processes 1
• Software Development Tools and Processes 2

Supervisor

• Craig Sutherland

Co-supervisor

Team

• Matthew Wai
• Jason Yang

Lab

Radio Systems (405.736, Lab)