CodeSkelGen - A Program Skeleton Generator

Abstract

Existent computer programming training environments help users to learn programming by solving problems from scratch. Nevertheless,
initiating the resolution of a program can be frustrating and
demotivating if the student does not know where and how to start. Skeleton programming facilitates a top-down design approach, where a partially functional system with complete high-level structures is available, so the student needs only to progressively complete or update the code to meet the requirements of the problem.

This paper presents CodeSkelGen - a program skeleton generator. CodeSkelGen generates skeleton or buggy Java programs from a complete annotated program solution provided by the teacher. The annotations are formally described within an annotation type and processed by an annotation processor. This processor is responsible for a set of actions ranging from the creation of dummy methods to the exchange of operator types included in the source code.

The generator tool will be included in a learning environment that   aims to assist teachers in the creation of programming exercises and to help students in their resolution.