Towards Validation of a Model of API Learning

  • Finn Voichick
  • , Gao Gao
  • , Michelle Ichinco
  • , Caitlin Kelleher

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and code libraries have become highly integrated into the programming process. They allow programmers to reuse large segments of functionalities. However, as free and often open-source commodities, the support for programmers to learn how to use these valuable resources is not always complete. Researchers have repeatedly found that API learning is a highly problematic process with many barriers. However, much of the work on the difficulties using and learning APIs has relied on retrospective descriptions of the process or questions programmers post on forums. Furthermore, these explorations of difficulties in learning APIs have not taken into account theories about learning or information foraging. In this works-in-progress poster, we present an early evaluation of a model that describes API learning using both information foraging and cognitive load theory.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2019 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2019
EditorsJustin Smith, Christopher A. Bogart, Judith Good, Scott D. Fleming
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages267-269
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9781728108100
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019
Event2019 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2019 - Memphis, United States
Duration: Oct 14 2019Oct 18 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC
Volume2019-October
ISSN (Print)1943-6092
ISSN (Electronic)1943-6106

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing, VL/HCC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMemphis
Period10/14/1910/18/19

Keywords

  • API learning
  • cognitive load
  • empirical study
  • external memory
  • information foraging theory
  • modeling
  • qualitative

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