Supporting Exploratory Programming in Domain-Specific Applications

The act of computer programming can take many different forms. For example, a software engineer might rewrite C++ code to speed up some process; an analyst might use a spreadsheet program to gain insights into their data; or a creative coder might write a program to create an abstract visualization that is synchronized with music. While each of these tasks is a complex activity involving creative problem-solving, the first example has a well-defined goal, while the second and third examples are more open-ended. Generally, programming activities involving data analysis or artistic creative practice can be seen as exploratory programming, characterized by rapid experimentation and an evolving set of goals [1]. In the creative coding example, the coder might explore several options using different combinations of colors, shapes, textures, and animation speeds. There is no “correct” answer for what the final product should look like, and in fact, what they envision at the outset might be completely different from what they ultimately create.