Comparing Programming Language Comprehension between Novice and Expert Programmers Using EEG Analysis

Abstract

For programming language comprehension, high cognitive skills (e.g., reading, writing, working memory, etc.) and information processing are required. However, there are few papers that approach this from a neuroscientific perspective. In this paper, we examine program comprehension neuroscientifically and also observe the differences between novice and expert programmers. We designed an EEG (electroencephalogram) experiment and observed 18 participants during a series of program comprehension tasks. We found clear differences in program comprehension ability between novice and expert programmers. Experts exhibited higher brainwave activation than novices in electrodes F3 and P8. These results indicate that experts have outstanding program comprehension-associated abilities such as digit encoding, coarse coding, short-term memory, and subsequent memory effect. Our findings can serve as a foundation for future research in this pioneering field.