Students' alternative standards for correctness

ABSTRACT

We examined students' definition of correctness as reflected by their decisions whether certain programs are correct. Using a questionnaire we found that students understand correctness as a relative property of the program and therefore might decide that a program is correct even when they evidence its incorrect behavior. We also found that students' definitions of systematic testing are inherently different from that of professionals, yet are consistent with their tolerance to errors.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education

General Terms:
Human Factors, Verification

Keywords:
conceptions, correctness, norms, practices