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Toward Improving Binary Program Comprehension via Embodied Immersion: A Survey

Dennis Brown, Emily Mulder, Samuel Mulder

TL;DR

This paper investigates how immersive embodied interaction can enhance binary program comprehension by viewing the human in the loop through a cognitive systems lens. It synthesizes cognitive models of binary PC, underlying theories such as external and embodied cognition and cognitive load theory, and immersive visualization and IA research to identify three guiding themes: enhancing abductive iteration, augmenting working memory, and supporting information organization. The authors propose design guidelines for immersive tools that integrate external representations, memory supports, and VR metaphors, and discuss automation and adaptive interfaces as key next steps. The work advances binary PC practice by outlining practical pathways for improving sensemaking and decision making in the face of complex architectures and incomplete specifications.

Abstract

Binary program comprehension is critical for many use cases but is difficult, suffering from compounded uncertainty and lack of full automation. We seek methods to improve the effectiveness of the human-machine joint cognitive system performing binary PC. We survey three research areas to perform an indirect cognitive task analysis: cognitive models of the PC process, related elements of cognitive theory, and applicable affordances of virtual reality. Based on common elements in these areas, we identify three overarching themes: enhancing abductive iteration, augmenting working memory, and supporting information organization. These themes spotlight several affordances of VR to exploit in future studies of immersive tools for binary PC.

Toward Improving Binary Program Comprehension via Embodied Immersion: A Survey

TL;DR

This paper investigates how immersive embodied interaction can enhance binary program comprehension by viewing the human in the loop through a cognitive systems lens. It synthesizes cognitive models of binary PC, underlying theories such as external and embodied cognition and cognitive load theory, and immersive visualization and IA research to identify three guiding themes: enhancing abductive iteration, augmenting working memory, and supporting information organization. The authors propose design guidelines for immersive tools that integrate external representations, memory supports, and VR metaphors, and discuss automation and adaptive interfaces as key next steps. The work advances binary PC practice by outlining practical pathways for improving sensemaking and decision making in the face of complex architectures and incomplete specifications.

Abstract

Binary program comprehension is critical for many use cases but is difficult, suffering from compounded uncertainty and lack of full automation. We seek methods to improve the effectiveness of the human-machine joint cognitive system performing binary PC. We survey three research areas to perform an indirect cognitive task analysis: cognitive models of the PC process, related elements of cognitive theory, and applicable affordances of virtual reality. Based on common elements in these areas, we identify three overarching themes: enhancing abductive iteration, augmenting working memory, and supporting information organization. These themes spotlight several affordances of VR to exploit in future studies of immersive tools for binary PC.
Paper Structure (25 sections, 7 figures)

This paper contains 25 sections, 7 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why is Binary PC Difficult?
  3. Characteristics of Mental/Cognitive Models of Binary PC
  4. Discovering Mental/Cognitive Models of Binary PC
  5. Differences between Novices and Experts in Performing Binary PC
  6. Section Summary
  7. Underlying Cognitive Theory and Applications to Binary Program Comprehension
  8. External and Embodied Cognition
  9. Cognitive Load Theory
  10. Applications to Program Comprehension
  11. Section Summary
  12. Cognitive Augmentation using Visualization and Immersion
  13. Leveraging Affordances of Immersive Technologies for Analytic Tasks
  14. Visualization Applied to Program Comprehension
  15. Section Summary
  16. ...and 10 more sections

Figures (7)

  • Figure 1: PC process per Shneiderman and Mayer Shneiderman1979
  • Figure 2: PC process based on sensemaking; adapted from Bryant et al. Bryant2012
  • Figure 3: PC process based on abductive iteration; adapted from Dudenhofer Dudenhofer2019
  • Figure 4: PC process in three phases, adapted from Votipka et al. Votipka2020
  • Figure 5: Elements of (A) cognitive models of binary PC, (B) concepts of cognitive theory, and (C) VR affordances/tools/techniques
  • ...and 2 more figures