Cognitive processing differences between novice and expert computer programmers

✍ Scribed by Allan G. Bateson; Ralph A. Alexander; Martin D. Murphy

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1987
• Weight: 721 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7373
• DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7373(87)80058-5

✦ Synopsis

Research on cognitive processing differences between novice and expert groups has recently begun to focus on applied areas like computer programming. An often-used research paradigm has measured subjects' syntactic memory, their ability to recall briefly presented computer programs. This study demonstrates that expert programmers use semantic mcmory and high-level plan knowledge to direct their programming activities. Fifty subjects were divided into novice and expert groups based on the number of programming courses taken. Four tests were developed to measure syntactic memory, semantic memory, tactical skill, and strategic skill. Experts performance was superior on all tests. Additionally, the best set of predictors of programmer expertise was semantic memory, tactical skill, and syntactic memory. Results from this and subsequent research may have implications for areas such as selection and training.

Research on cognitive processing differences between novices and experts has typically focused on such areas as chess (