How Experienced And Novice Programmers See Code

Esther Schindler writes "We always talk about how programmers improve their skill by reading others' code. But the newbies aren't going to be as good at even doing that, when they start. There's some cool research underway, using eye tracking to compare how an experienced programmer looks at code compared to a novice. Seems to be early days, but worth a nod and a smile." Reader Necroman points out that if the above link is unreachable, try this one. The videos are also available on YouTube: Expert, Novice.

Code?

[Anonymous Coward]

I see Blonde, Brunette,...

Contacting Server...

[localman57]

At this moment, novice programmers think the network is down. Experienced programmers know the site from TFA has been slashdotted.

Re:Contacting Server...

[SirGarlon]

So much for the idea that Slashdot readers never look at TFA. However, I remain undaunted, and will now proceed to discuss the article even though no one can read it! :-)

Obligitory

[0racle]

I don't even see code anymore. All I see is Blond, Brunette, Redhead ...

Re:Contacting Server...

[Ibiwan]

Experienced programmers know the ENEMY'S network is down.

Re:Code?

[Beardo the Bearded]

I see lack of comments, lack of comments, and god damned polish notation.

Hungarian notation? I assume because of the "lack of comments".

aHungarian nnotation? nI vassume abecause cof cthe alack cof ncomments

FTFY

Re:Comments

[Sperbels]

You don't find this useful?

//if Foos is empty don't do anything
if (Foos != null)
//let's go through the collection and increment the counter
foreach (Foo foo in Foos)
//increment the count
foo.count++;

The Inlined code is more difficult to read.

[idealistw]

Just a FYI, the test is really poorly done because the code that the novice and the expert are looking at are different. I can read the Expert's code and figure out what the output should read in no time. The inlined code, on the other hand, I have to do the full iteration for each loop. It's really a test fail.

such a shame

[Dark$ide]

An article that could have been astounding is on a site that got Slashdotted. Perhaps they need some experienced web programmers.

Re:Contacting Server...

[tool462]

We read the article, just not before we comment. Usually I middle-click to open the article in a new tab, then read the comments. That way I know which parts of the article to indignant about when I get to them.

Re:Contacting Server...

[Chris Mattern]

You mean the enemy's gateway is down...

Re:Comments

[cdrudge]

I see we had the same college TAs and professors.

Re:Comments

[Anonymous Coward]

No, this is what I get to read // Add 2 seconds to the timer because 1 second is way too short for this situation
timer.add(90);

Re:Contacting Server...

[schlachter]

TFA? I usually say FTA and comment away...