Exploring Usage of Web Resources Through a Model of API Learning

Application programming interfaces (APIs) are essential to modern software development, and new APIs are frequently being produced. Consequently, software developers must regularly learn new APIs, which they typically do on the job from online resources rather than in a formal educational context. The Kelleher–Ichinco COIL model, an acronym for “Collection and Organization of Information for Learning,” was recently developed to model the entire API learning process, drawing from information foraging theory, cognitive load theory, and external memory research. We ran an exploratory empirical user study in which participants performed a programming task using the React API with the goal of validating and refining this model. Our results support the predictions made by the COIL model, especially the role of external memory in the API learning process. Participants extensively used browser tabs to store web resources in external memory, but their behavior suggests some inefficiencies that incur extraneous cognitive load.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science & Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Voichick, Finn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Caitlin Kelleher
• Caitlin Kelleher Alvitta Ottley Dennis Cosgrove

• API learning
• API usability
• information foraging theory
• cognitive load theory
• external memory
• Cognitive Psychology
• Computer Sciences
• Engineering
• Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Software Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• I have not registered my thesis with the U.S. Copyright Office, and do not intend to.

Language dc:language

English (en)

Identifier

https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/eng_etds/513

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:eng_etds-1569