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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

End-user development of smart home rules using block-based programming: a comparative usability evaluation with programmers and non-programmers

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Author(s):
Goncalves, Mateus Carvalho [1] ; Lara, Otavio Neves [1] ; de Bettio, Raphael Winckler [2] ; Freire, Andre Pimenta [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Comp Sci, Lavras - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Appl Comp, Lavras - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: BEHAVIOUR & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; v. 40, n. 10, SI, p. 974-996, JUL 27 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The use of Smart Homes has grown considerably in the past decade. Enabling end-users to develop rules to program their homes and devices is very important to empower them. Several studies have analysed trigger-action programming tools, primarily using form-based and data-flow approaches for programming interfaces. This study evaluated the usability of a block-based tool for end-user development of rules to control smart homes and compared the difficulties encountered by non-programmers and programmers. Evaluations involved 10 programmers and 10 non-programmers in Brazil. A thematic analysis of 247 problem instances (80 from programmers and 167 from non-programmers) yielded the following themes, with problems related to condition blocks, action blocks, states and actions, time-related tasks, block configuration and personalisation, information architecture, programming logic, conceptual model of smart homes, simulator and debugging, help and technical problems. Despite most non-programmers being able to experiment with blocks, their task completion rates were significantly lower than programmers. The analysis showed aspects where block-based programming can enhance the use for non-programmers. They also confirmed interaction aspects revealed by previous studies using form-based and data-flow approaches that also occur with block-based programming to design smart home rules, with important contributions to improve end-user development tools for smart homes. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 20/05187-5 - Usability of interactive systems with internet of things to control smart homes and health monitoring for elderly people
Grantee:André Pimenta Freire
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants