Abstract

LOPEZ-GARCIA, Antonio  and  URQUIZA-FUENTES, Jaime. Understanding of basic pseudocode in students of training cycles. RISTI [online]. 2023, n.51, pp.37-50.  Epub Sep 30, 2023. ISSN 1646-9895.  https://doi.org/10.17013/risti.37-50.

Learning programming presents multiple challenges, one of which is mastering high-level programming languages. Among the different approaches to solve this problem, we look at the use of pseudocode as a previous step to high-level languages. The motivation of this work is to investigate to what extent students understand, without programming notions, a given pseudocode. Three different types are compared: pseudocode in English, standard pseudocode in Spanish (mostly used) and a natural pseudocode, using Spanish and designed based on student preferences (natural pseudocode). In this preliminary study, 58 students have participated and their ability to understand simple algorithms with basic programming constructs has been measured. The results reflect a slight advantage in terms of comprehension, although not significant, of the natural pseudocode, followed by the standard and ending with English.

Keywords : Pseudocode; high level language; mother tongue; education; programming.

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