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López-García AAuthorUrquiza-Fuentes J.Author
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Understanding of basic pseudocode in students of training cycles [Comprensión de pseudocódigo básico en estudiantes de ciclos formativos]

Publicated to:Risti - Revista Iberica De Sistemas E Tecnologias De Informacao. 2023 (e51): 37-50 - 2023-01-01 2023(e51), DOI: 10.17013/risti.51.37-50

Authors: López-García A; Urquiza-Fuentes J

Affiliations

LITE-Laboratorio de Tecnologías de la Información en la Educación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

Learning programming presents multiple challenges, one of which is mastering high-level programming languages. Among the different approaches to solve this problem, we look at the use of pseudocode as a previous step to high-level languages. The motivation of this work is to investigate to what extent students understand, without programming notions, a given pseudocode. Three different types are compared: pseudocode in English, standard pseudocode in Spanish (mostly used) and a natural pseudocode, using Spanish and designed based on student preferences (natural pseudocode). In this preliminary study, 58 students have participated and their ability to understand simple algorithms with basic programming constructs has been measured. The results reflect a slight advantage in terms of comprehension, although not significant, of the natural pseudocode, followed by the standard and ending with English. © 2023, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.

Keywords
EducationHigh level languageMother tongueProgrammingPseudocode

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Risti - Revista Iberica De Sistemas E Tecnologias De Informacao, Q4 Agency Scopus (SJR), its regional focus and specialization in Computer Science (Miscellaneous), give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-05-13:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 4 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (López García, Andrea) and Last Author (Urquiza Fuentes, Jaime).