Experimental Software Systems: An Experimental Environment for Integrating Testing and Debugging in Form-Based Visual Programming Languages

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EIA-9806821 Burnett, Margaret M. Rothermel, Gregg Oregon State University ESS: An Experimental Environment for Integrating Testing and Debugging in Form-Based Visual Programming Languages Form-based visual programming languages (VPLs), which include commercial spreadsheets and various research systems, are widely used by both programmers and end users. Research shows, however, that form-based visual programs often contain faults, and that their creators often express unwarranted confidence in the reliability of their programs. The goal of this research is to develop effective testing and debugging methodologies for form-based VPLs. The strategy is to develop and implement algorithms that combine program analysis techniques with highly interactive visual techniques to support testing and debugging in form-based VPLs. Experiments evaluating both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the techniques will be conducted on various audiences programming with form-based VPLs. The widespread use of form-based VPLs makes it imperative that tasks such as testing and debugging be supported in a manner suited to the users of these languages; however, doing so may also yield new insights into ways to facilitate testing and debugging in other kinds of end-user programming environments and even in visual programming environments used by professional programmers.