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The influence of commenting validity, placement, and style on perceptions of computer code trustworthiness: A
Gene M Alarcon1, Rose F Gamble2, Tyler J Ryan3
1Air Force Research Laboratory, United States.
Applied Ergonomics
|June 6, 2018
Summary
Valid computer code comments increase trustworthiness and engagement, but placement and style have complex effects. This study applies the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) to understand code review psychology.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
Background:
- Code reviews are crucial for software quality.
- Psychological factors influencing code review are under-explored.
- The heuristic-systematic model (HSM) provides a framework for understanding information processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how computer code comments influence perceptions of code trustworthiness.
- To examine the impact of comment validity, placement, and style on trustworthiness and time spent on code.
- To extend the application of the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) to the domain of programming.
Main Methods:
- Applied the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) to analyze code review.
- Manipulated comment validity, placement, and style in computer code.
- Measured participants' perceptions of code trustworthiness and time spent on code.
Main Results:
- Valid comments significantly increased trust and time spent on code.
- Properly placed comments decreased trust, with a marginal effect on time.
- Comment style had mixed effects: low style marginally increased trust, high style increased time spent.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between code comments and trustworthiness is complex and non-linear.
- Comment validity is a key driver of trust in code.
- The heuristic-systematic model (HSM) offers valuable insights into code review processes.
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