Cognitive models of program comprehension model the mental processes involved in program understanding.

In most cognitive models, hypotheses are key drivers of the comprehension process. The models describe how programmers generate and verify such hypothesis.

Key references:

• Ruven Brooks. Towards a Theory of the Cognitive Processes in Computer Programming. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 9(6):737-741, 1977.

• Stanley Letovsky. Cognitive Processes in Program Comprehension. Empirical Studies of Programmers, E. Soloway and S. Iyengar, editors, Ablex Publishing Company, Norwood, New Jersey, 1986.

• Anneliese von Mayrhauser and A. Mary Vans. Program Comprehension During Software Maintenance and Evolution. IEEE Computer. August, 1995. Vol. 28, No. 8, pages 44-55. http://dlib.computer.org/co/books/co1995/pdf/r8044.pdf

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CategoryProgramUnderstanding