An Applicability Study on Refactoring Principles in Reading-Based Programming Learning

Abstract

In educational institutions such as universities, the principle of refactoring is not sufficiently taught. In fact, in lectures on the basics of object-oriented programming such as java, source code with as little method splitting as possible is used in the teaching materials. It seems a consideration to avoid placing an unnecessary burden on the learners. On the other hand, as a result of the considerations, the opportunity to focus on design theory and design patterns in source code is deprived. If the source code can be provided methodized at an appropriate level, it can be used as learning material as is. This study focuses on method partitioning among refactoring principles (improving the description of source code by method partitioning is expressed as "refactoring") and aims to clarify the level of logical structure appropriate as a teaching material during programming learning in terms of metrics and cognitive load.