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2.3.9 Comparing the Effects of Using Texture of Existing
Code Segments
Existing program editors do not naturally support the trial-and-error process of find-
ing a usable example code from multiple candidates. When pasted in an editor, the
copied segment is merged into the existing program and becomes indistinguishable
unless the developer deliberately inserts some visual cues (e.g., blank lines or com-
ments) to designate which part is currently being tested with a pasted code segment.
Some graphic editors use a tracing paper metaphor and employ
layers
to produce
variations of the current drawing area. Terry et al. explored a way to simultane-
ously develop alternative solutions to the current problem situation [
31
]. Similar
techniques would help developers in the process of choosing a usable example code
from multiple candidates.
2.3.10 Motivation to Search Existing Code
Although perhaps less common than in the past, a problem still remains when a
developer is not motivated to search for potentially useful code. One of the early
systems, CodeBroker [
32
], monitors a programming editor (
emacs
), infers the pro-
grammer's interest by parsing comments and message signatures, and pushes po-
tentially relevant information to the developer in a subtle manner (i.e., in a small
sub-pane located in the bottom of the
emacs
editor). The argument for such an edi-
tor is that information delivered in this way should minimize interruption, and that
the system should incrementally present more in-depth information only when the
developer requests it [
33
].
2.4 Socio-technical Support for Code Search Activities
Peer developers serve as precious information resources in identifying the existence
of potentially usable code through face-to-face communication [
23
] and in discus-
sion forums [
20
]. STeP_IN_Java (Socio-Technical Platform for In-situ Networking
for Java programming) [
34
] is an example of an approach that identifies experts who
might know the existence of potentially useful information for a developer. Help-
MeOut suggests possibly relevant solutions made by peer developers to a novice
programmer who is facing a compiler error message or a runtime exception [
18
].
A developer's ability to search, rank, and triage code, documents, and peer devel-
opers that are seamlessly integrated in an IDE may be ideal. However, code and doc-
uments are things, whereas peer developers are humans [
34
]. A challenge involves
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