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Polysemicolon; Novice Programmers and Java Keywords

Briana Bettin, Michigan Technological University

Abstract [en] Industry standard programming languages often leverage the English language for reserved keywords – words interpreted as specific execution commands for the compiled program. The Java programming language is no exception to using English reserved keywords, and is used widely in industrial and educational settings. The expert-novice programmer divide exemplifies an intriguing middle-ground for navigating metaphor and highlighting polysemic interpretations of keywords. For experts, keywords become “dead metaphor” (drawn from “career of metaphor” theory). That is, the expert sees the keyword – often the entire grammatical construct with it – and derives programmatic meaning near instantly. For the expert, there is rare consideration of alternative English-language interpretations. Novices however, in attempting to first navigate programming, may use these English keywords as familiar landmarks in unfamiliar terrain. Amidst a sea of semicolons, single letter variables, and math operators, they may gravitate to familiar words such as “if” or “while” to derive meaning. Attempts by novices to create meaning using these English definitions can, however, result in potential misconceptions. The word “for” as a preposition has over a dozen distinct definitions. Which definition should a novice programmer use to achieve understanding in learning to program, and what misconceptions may they develop through alternatives to the “correct” choice? For some keywords, there may be no completely “correct” definition. While this ambiguity can create a myriad of interpretations for critical code studies, it can provide pitfalls for those first learning to program. This essay samples several keyword interpretations that novice programmers may derive from the Java language’s keywords and how polysemous meaning may affect their interpretation. Through observation of students in their CS1 class, the author began exploring how polysemy, linguistics, and metaphoric interpretations may affect understanding in beginner courses. These students are largely native English speakers, highlighting that understanding rifts exist even for native and colloquial speakers. Code snippets are explored with both compiled keyword meanings and potential understood meanings. This provides insight into pathways for student reasoning and navigation in the programming landscape. The myriad of potential conclusions or definitions are contrasted against the compiler’s singular interpretation, and how the polysemic potential of natural language falls to singular dead metaphor in experts. This stark difference between natural linguistics, critical code analysis, and compiled code meaning highlights contrasts between programming and natural languages, in addition to highlight paradigm shifts that may occur in pursuit of expertise.

Rhetorical Strategies of Naming Practices in Code

Kevin Brock, University of South Carolina

Abstract [en]

first name(s) family name,

Evaluating and Understanding the Geocoding of City Directories of Paris (1787-1914): Data-Driven Geography of Urban Sprawl and Densification

Julie Gravier, Laboratoire ThéMA UMR 6049, CNRS, Université Marie et Louis Pasteur; Stéphane Baciocchi, Centre de Recherches Historiques, EHESS-CNRS UMR 8558; Pascal Cristofoli, Centre de Recherches Historiques, EHESS-CNRS UMR 8558; Bertrand Duménieu, Centre de Recherches Historiques, EHESS-CNRS UMR 8558; Edwin Carlinet, Laboratoire de Recherche de l'EPITA; Joseph Chazalon, Laboratoire de Recherche de l'EPITA; Nathalie Abadie, Université Gustave Eiffel, ENSG, IGN, LASTIG; Solenn Tual, Université Gustave Eiffel, ENSG, IGN, LASTIG; Julien Perret, Université Gustave Eiffel, ENSG, IGN, LASTIG

Abstract [en]

Assemblies of Points: Strategies to Art-historical Human Pose Estimation and Retrieval

Stefanie Schneider, LMU Munich

Abstract [en]

A Critical Collection History of Nineteenth-century Women’s Letters: Overcoming the Occluded Archive with Data-Driven Methods

Ilona Pikkanen, The Finnish Literature Society; Matti La Mela, Uppsala University; Hanna-Leena Paloposki, Independent Scholar; Jouni Tuominen, University of Helsinki and Aalto University

Abstract [en]

Making Sense of the Emergence of Manslaughter in British Criminal Justice

Tim Hitchcock, Professor Emeritus of Digital History, University of Sussex; William J. Turkel, Professor of History, The University of Western Ontario

Abstract [en]

Image Reuse in Eighteenth-Century Book History: Large-Scale Data-Driven Study of Headpiece Ornament Variants

Ruilin Wang, University of Helsinki; Enes Yılandiloğlu, University of Helsinki; first name(s) family name, ; Mikko Tolonen, University of Helsinki; Lidia Pivovatova, University of Helsinki; Yann Ryan, Digital Humanities and postdoctoral researcher, Leiden University

Abstract [en]

DHQ Test Suite

Articles

Article title!

first name(s) family name,

DHQ Test Article: Beastiary

Julia Flanders, Northeastern University; John A. Walsh, Indiana University

Test Article Demonstrating RevisionNote: Revised

DHQ, None

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[fr] Article Expérimentale: En Français
[en] Test Article: French-Language Article with Stub Translation

DHQ, None

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[en] Test Article: Foreign Language with Full Translation
[fr] Bienvenue à Digital Humanities Quarterly

Julia Flanders, Brown University; Wendell Piez, Mulberry Technologies, Inc.; Melissa Terras, University College London

Abstract [en][fr]

Media Encoding Samples

Julia Flanders, Northeastern University

Abstract [en]

Math Encoding Sample

Julia Flanders, Foo

Abstract [en]

Sample Field Report

Julia Flanders, Foo

Abstract [en]

[en] An Article Title
[it] Il Titolo dell'Articolo

Benjamin Grey, Digital Humanities Quarterly; Josiah Carberry, Psychoceramics Department, Brown University; Jean-Baptiste Botul, Association of the Friends of Jean-Baptiste Botul

Abstract [en]

Author Biographies

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