Covering a variety of areas including software analysis, design, coding and maintenance, this text details the research conducted since the 1970s in this fast-developing field before going on to define a computer program from the viewpoint of computing and cognitive psychology. The two essential sides of programming, software production and software understanding, are given detailed treatment, with parallels drawn throughout between studies on processing texts written in natural language and processing computer programs. Of particular interest to researchers, practitioners and graduates in cognitive psychology, cognitive ergonomics and computer science.

Abstract: "Lack of knowledge about the paradigms or schemata that expert programmers use when they design and implement software is undermining progress in programming research, pedagogy, and practice. In an attempt to provide a basis for reconciling past cognitive research on software design and to establish a foundation for future research, this paper provides a formal model of the problem solving processes that underlie the software design process. The model is rooted in well- established, state-space concepts of problem solving. We show how existing cognitive models of software design can be integrated using the model and describe some directions in which future research might proceed based on the model."

The agent metaphor and the agent-based approach to systems design constitute a promising new paradigm for building complex distributed systems. However, until now, the majority of the agent-based applications available have been built by researchers who specialize in agent-based computing and distributed artificial intelligence. If agent-based computing is to become anything more than a niche technology practiced by the few, then the base of people who can successfully apply the approach needs to be broadened dramatically. A major step in this broadening endeavor is the development of methodologies for agent-oriented software engineering accessible to and attractive for professional software engineers in their daily work. Against this background, this book presents one of the first coherent attempts to develop such a methodology for a broad class of agent-based systems. The author provides a clear introduction to the key issues in the field of agent-oriented software engineering.

In this dynamic review and synthesis of empirical research and theoretical discussion of design as cognitive activity, Willemien Visser reconciles and integrates the classical view of design, as conceptualized by Herbert Simon's symbolic information processing approach, with modern views of design such as the situativity approach, as formulated by Donald Schon. The author goes on to develop her own view on design, in which design is most appropriately characterized as a construction of representations. She lays the groundwork for the integration of design research and cognitive science. This seemingly simple framework has implications that set the stage for this mutually beneficial integration.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Extreme Programming and Agile Processes in Software Engineering, XP 2006, held in Oulu, Finland, June 2006. The book presents 16 revised full papers together with 6 experience papers, 12 poster papers and panel summaries, organized in topical sections on foundation and rationale for agile methods, effects of pair programming, quality in agile software development, and more.

A significant part of understanding how people use geographic information and technology concerns human cognition. This book provides the first comprehensive in-depth examination of the cognitive aspects of human-computer interaction for geographic information systems (GIS). Cognitive aspects are treated in relation to individual, group, behavioral, institutional, and cultural perspectives. Extensions of GIS in the form of spatial decision support systems and SDSS for groups are part of the geographic information technology considered. Audience: Geographic information users, systems analysts and system designers, researchers in human-computer interaction will find this book an information resource for understanding cognitive aspects of geographic information technology use, and the methods appropriate for examining this use.