Exploring Programmers' API Learning Processes: Collecting Web Resources as External Memory
Exploring Programmers' API Learning Processes: Collecting Web Resources as External Memory
复制标题
探索程序员的API学习过程：收集Web资源作为外部存储器
DOI：
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发表时间：
2020
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Caitlin L. Kelleher
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Gao Gao;Finn Voichick;Michelle Ichinco;Caitlin L. Kelleher
现代编程经常需要使用API(应用程序编程接口)。然而，许多程序员在尝试学习API时遇到了困难。我们进行了一项探索性研究，观察参与者执行API学习任务。我们使用一个基于认知负荷理论、信息搜寻理论和外部记忆研究的API学习模型来分析他们的学习过程。研究结果为API学习的模型提供了支持，并为学习API时外部记忆的形式和使用提供了新的见解。程序员通过作为外部存储器的信息搜寻快速地管理一组API资源，然后在编码时主要引用这些资源来满足信息需求。
Modern programming frequently requires the use of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Yet many programmers struggle when trying to learn APIs. We ran an exploratory study in which we observed participants performing an API learning task. We analyze their processes using a proposed model of API learning, grounded in Cognitive Load Theory, Information Foraging Theory, and External Memory research. The results provide support for the model of API Learning and add new insights into the form and usage of external memory while learning APIs. Programmers quickly curated a set of API resources through Information Foraging which served as external memory and then primarily referred to these resources to meet information needs while coding.