Automated style feedback for advanced beginner Java programmers

Abstract

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSFrenchPress is an Eclipse plug-in that partially automates the task of giving students feedback on their Java programs. It is designed not for novices but for students taking their second or third Java course: students who know enough Java to write a working program but lack the judgment to recognize bad code when they see it. FrenchPress does not diagnose compile-time or run-time errors, or logical errors that produce incorrect output. It targets silent flaws, flaws the student is unable to identify for himself because nothing in the programming environment alerts him. among students who said FrenchPress gave them suggestions for improvement, the percentage who found the feedback helpful bounced from around 55% on the first and third assignments to 32-40% on the second and fourth assignments. The lower acceptance on the second and fourth projects corresponds to a higher incidence of false positives and other confusing feedback messages. Nevertheless, the percentage of survey respondents who said they were satisfied with FrenchPress performance ranged from 56% to 66% on all four assignments.vi

Logic Error Detection System based on Structure Pattern and Error Degree

“…Targeted at advanced novice programmers, FrenchPress [25] is an eclipse plugin that focuses on programming style and supports programmers who have not yet assimilated the object-oriented paradigm.…”

Improving Student's Engagement Through the Use of Learning Modules, Instantaneous Feedback and Automated Marking

“…The scalability challenge in lecture theaters as well as in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) have fueled the need for automated feedback. Two main areas where automated feedback have been used are language learning [12][13] [14] and computer programming [15] [16] [17].…”

“…Although mistakes are the most common type of feedback, many provide no knowledge on "how to proceed" and do not provide alternative solutions. In [17], the use of a plugin, FrenchPress, was evaluated in helping the learners learn how to program. Rather than focusing on compile-time, run-time or logical errors, FrenchPress targets the programmer's shortcomings whereby the programming environment does not alert them, such as better use of data type e.g.…”