An eye-tracking study assessing the comprehension of c++ and Python source code

Abstract

A study to assess the effect of programming language on student comprehension of source code is presented, comparing the languages of C++ and Python in two task categories: overview and find bug tasks. Eye gazes are tracked while thirty-eight students complete tasks and answer questions. Results indicate no significant difference in accuracy or time, however there is a significant difference reported on the rate at which students look at buggy lines of code. These results start to provide some direction as to the effect programming language might have in introductory programming classes.