Goal and Plan Knowledge in Software Comprehension.

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to study the cognitive factors involved in the modification of software. It was hypothesized that a programmer generates a goal-based representation of code during an initial comprehension phase. The programmer then operates on this representation to make conceptual modifications in the program's function. Finally the programmer executes programming plans that are language-specific in order to make changes in code. This procedure will be repeated many times when major modifications are required. Several experiments were designed to uncover the structure and content of knowledge representations used in the software modification process. The information gained in this study will be useful in the development of theory about the execution of complex cognitive tasks. Practically, the study will provide guidelines for the design of cognitively-based software modification tools.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 31, 1986
Accession Number
ADA173338

Entities

People

  • Scott Robertson

Organizations

  • The Catholic University of America

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Comprehension
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Language
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Naval Training
  • New Brunswick
  • Psychology
  • Security
  • Software Development
  • Students
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science.
  • Systems Analysis and Design