An experimental evaluation of delimiters in a command language syntax

✍ Scribed by M.L. Schneider; K. Hirsh-Pasek; S. Nudelman

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1984
• Weight: 710 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7373
• DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7373(84)80027-9

✦ Synopsis

This article examines the effects of delimiters on the cognitive processes involved in command construction and interpretation. After a theoretical analysis of the impact of delimiters on commands, two techniques of delimiter usage were examined: singlelevel delimiters (space) and two-level hierarchical delimiters (space and comma). Using a within-subject experimental design with 20 subjects, we found that hierarchical delimiters improved the ability of individuals to distinguish fields and identify the grammatical correctness of the commands. This study suggests that the ability to orgainize elements of commands mentally is enhanced when they consist of fields separated by one delimiter and items within fields by another delimiter. Other factors, not examined in this study, should have an impact on production. They may include the name of the command, the order in which operands are presented, and the experience level of the user.