Individual differences in computer programming: a systematic review

Abstract

The demand for programmers has grown exponentially in recent years, making programming an indispensable skill. However, the complex nature of programming poses various challenges for novice programmers, leading to high dropout rates in programming courses. The recognition of individual differences, encompassing distinct neurocognitive profiles, is acknowledged to influence the accuracy of predicting programming skill outcomes. As a result, an increasing awareness exists regarding the substantial contribution of human factors, including personality or cognitive ability, to programming performance. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to explore recent research on individual differentiation or programmer profiling in programming tasks. The primary goal is to examine pertinent research exploring personal characteristics’ influence on programming in various contexts. As a result of this review, a taxonomy has been introduced to enhance the comprehension of programmers’ multifaceted individual differences, categorising influential factors into nine distinct dimensions. Furthermore, it has been found that individual differences influence performance in programming tasks, as well as in the learning of this discipline. In conclusion, this SLR emphasises human factors’ critical role in programming and proposes a taxonomy that is a valuable framework for researchers, educators, and practitioners to enhance their understanding of human factors’ influence on programming performance.