From Compiler Errors to Learning Opportunities: Rewriting Diagnostics for First-Semester Programmers
Sabbir Hosen Mamun, Sandra L. Morris
IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, pp. 1-8, Covington, USA · IEEE
Abstract
Compiler diagnostics are written for programmers who already understand the language model. This paper reports a redesign of common C compiler messages for first-semester learners, replacing terse error labels with explanations, examples, and next-step checks. In a controlled lab study, rewritten diagnostics reduced help requests for syntax errors and improved students' ability to describe the cause of failed compilation.
Cite this work
@inproceedings{Mamun2019From,
title = {From Compiler Errors to Learning Opportunities: Rewriting Diagnostics for First-Semester Programmers},
author = {Sabbir Hosen Mamun and Sandra L. Morris},
year = {2019},
booktitle = {IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference},
pages = {1-8},
address = {Covington, USA},
publisher = {IEEE},
abstract = {Compiler diagnostics are written for programmers who already understand the language model. This paper reports a redesign of common C compiler messages for first-semester learners, replacing terse error labels with explanations, examples, and next-step checks. In a controlled lab study, rewritten diagnostics reduced help requests for syntax errors and improved students' ability to describe the cause of failed compilation.},
}S. H. Mamun, S. L. Morris, "From Compiler Errors to Learning Opportunities: Rewriting Diagnostics for First-Semester Programmers," in IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2019, pp. 1-8.
Sabbir Hosen Mamun, and Sandra L. Morris. 2019. From Compiler Errors to Learning Opportunities: Rewriting Diagnostics for First-Semester Programmers. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (Covington, USA). IEEE, 1-8.
Mamun, S. H., & Morris, S. L. (2019). From Compiler Errors to Learning Opportunities: Rewriting Diagnostics for First-Semester Programmers. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (pp. 1-8). IEEE.