A Quantitative Analysis of a Virtual Programming Lab

We implemented a survey with one learning group using the web-based tools and a control group working with a traditional setup based on editor and compiler. In a recent publication, we described the design and implementation of a web-based programming lab (ViPLab) targeted at undergraduate Engineering and Mathematics courses. This work provides a quantitative analysis of the user feedback, experience and learning success. The survey shows that web-based installations are as efficient as classical tools, while Windows users prefer the web-based chain over the editor/compiler installation on Linux. This justifies the use of web-based installations in programming beginner courses, if the learning target focuses on programming and not a particular tool chain.