Lifting the hood of the computer: program animation with the Teaching Machine

摘要: The teaching of computer programming concepts is hampered by the difficulty students have in visualizing dynamic processes that are controlled static texts programs. This no surprise, as never actually seen these processes. To reveal what happening "under hood" computer, we developed a new tool for program animation: Teaching Machine. It shows an abstraction captures some ways high-level programmers think machines, modeling aspects both underlying processor and compiler. As executes, Machine can show flow control through source code, evaluation expressions, changing values data objects memory. allows considerable flexibility. Views not relevant to example be hidden. Execution steps large complete subroutine call or small single arithmetic operation. Memory viewed any four different formats, including box arrow representation, which automatic animation algorithms on structures such linked lists trees. We used number ways: animated blackboard instructor use classroom; application investigate either canned examples their own programs; component Web tutorial; centrepiece series tutorial videos. has been first course programming, second structures.