Logic Error Detection System based on Structure Pattern and Error Degree

The importance of programming skills has increased with advances in information and communication technology (ICT). However, the difficulty of learning programming is a major problem for novices. Therefore, we propose a logic error detection algorithm based on structure patterns, which are an index of similarity based on abstract syntax trees, and error degree, which is a measure of appropriateness for feedback. We define structure patterns and error degree and present the proposed algorithm. In addition, we develop a Logic Error Detector (LED) Application Programming Interface (API) based on the proposed algorithm. An implementation of the proposed algorithm is used in experiments using actual data from an e-learning system. The results show that the proposed algorithm can accurately detect logic errors in many programs solving problems in the Introduction to Programming set.