The Non-Deterministic Path to Concurrency – Exploring how Students Understand the Abstractions of Concurrency

Concurrency is often perceived as difficult by students. One reason for this may be due to the fact that abstractions used in concurrent programs leave more situations undefined compared sequential (e.g., what order statements are executed), which makes it harder create a proper mental model of execution environment. Students who aim explore through testing further hindered non-determinism since even incorrect seem work properly most time. In paper we how students’ understanding these examining 137 solutions two concurrency questions given on final exam years an introductory course. To highlight problematic areas abstractions, present alternative under each solution would correct.