Analysis of a Process for Introductory Debugging

摘要: Debugging code is a complex task that requires knowledge about the mechanics of programming language, purpose given program, and an understanding how program achieves intended. It generally accepted prior experience with similar bugs improves debugging process systematic needed to be able successfully move from symptoms bug cause. Students who are learning may struggle one or more aspect debugging, anecdotally, spend lot their time faulty code. In this paper we analyse student answers questions designed focus attention on use those generate hypothesis cause bug. To ensure students rather than code, paper-based exercises ask reflect various hypothesize We students’ responses find using our structured most generalize single failing test case likely problem in but they much less identify appropriate location actual fix.