Volume 4

11 pages 1417 K bytes

A Web-based Automatic Program Grader Don Colton Brigham Young University Hawaii Laie, HI 96762 USA Leslie Fife Brigham Young University Hawaii Laie, HI 96762 USA Andrew Thompson Brigham Young University Hawaii Laie, Hawaii 96762 USA

Abstract: The ability to program is one of the core tools used by computer scientists, and programming proficiency is a recommended requirement for ABET accreditation. In our experience, students learn programming skills best by writing many programs, ranging from simple to complex. Overworked teachers can be dismayed by the prospect of grading still more programs per student as well as teaching introductory classes with large enrollments. The automatic grading approach offers substantial advantages and opportunities, but also some challenges. We present WebBot, a web-based automatic grader for computer programming assignments. This program is an expansion of GradeBot, an automatic program grader used for several years. This newest version of GradeBot introduces a web-based interface. GradeBot evaluates student programs written in any of several languages, including C, C++, Java, Perl, Python, Tcl, and MIPS assembler. Guidance for similar projects is provided through a discussion of the development and use of GradeBot and WebBot.

Keywords: automated grading, grading, courseware, CS1, CS2, web-based

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Recommended Citation: Colton, Fife, and Thompson (2006). A Web-based Automatic Program Grader. Information Systems Education Journal, 4 (114). http://isedj.org/4/114/. ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2006: §3522. ISSN: 1542-7382.)