Analogical Reasoning and Computer Programming

Abstract

Investigations of the cognitive demands of programming can inform teaching and validate claims that important cognitive skills are inherent in programming. Given reports of experts' use of analogical problem solving in programming, the study reported here related analogical reasoning to Logo programming mastery among high school students. Correlational analyses related pretests of analogical reasoning to posttests of programming mastery. As predicted, a significant correlation was found between analogical reasoning and the ability to write subprocedures which can be reused for several different programs. This sophisticated programming skill requires recognition of structural similarities among distinct programming tasks. A final, general discussion considers analogical reasoning skill as a cognitive demand and consequence of programming.