Empowering Novice Programmers with Visual Problem Solving tools

Abstract

Learning one’s first programming language includes challenges of syntax, surplus code and semantics. The learning can be easy or quite hard for a novice programmer depending on the programming language. Even the small “Hello World” program code contains semantic and syntactic complexity. This paper discusses the pros and cons of multiple tools that may be used for syntax independent implementation of solutions. Based on the shortcomings of existing tools, Flowgramming – a platform independent flowcharting software for the novice programmer / problem solver and their instructor, is also proposed in the paper. Flowcharts developed using Flowgramming can be executed by the built-in interpreter which helps the novice programmer focus on understanding the problem solving strategy in a visually appealing manner and also allows for a language independent learning of solution strategies.