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Learning to program using hierarchical model-based debugging

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Abstract

Model-based Diagnosis is a well known AI technique that has been applied to software debugging for senior programmers, called Model-Based Software Debugging (MBSD). In this paper we describe the basis of MBSD and show how it can be used for educational purposes. By extending the classical diagnosis technique to a hierarchical approach, we built a programming learning system to allow a student to debug his program in different abstraction levels.

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Notes

  1. Parsimony is the principle that the simplest explanation is to be preferred.

  2. We used the term test case to denote the examples of inputs and outputs for the student’s program; and test problem to verify the soundness of the Dr. Java Pro.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Arlindo Béttio 1000, Ermelino Matarazzo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Karina Valdivia Delgado

  2. Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sao Paulo, R. do Matão 1010, Butantã, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Leliane Nunes de Barros

  3. Walmart eCommerce Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Wellington Ricardo Pinheiro

Authors
  1. Leliane Nunes de Barros
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  2. Wellington Ricardo Pinheiro
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  3. Karina Valdivia Delgado
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Correspondence to Karina Valdivia Delgado.

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de Barros, L.N., Pinheiro, W.R. & Delgado, K.V. Learning to program using hierarchical model-based debugging. Appl Intell 43, 544–563 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10489-015-0659-9

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