Content area

Abstract

Natural language (NL) programming has become more approachable due to the powerful code-generation capability of large language models (LLMs). This shift to using NL to program enhances collaborative programming by reducing communication barriers and context-switching among programmers from varying backgrounds. However, programmers may face challenges during prompt engineering in a collaborative setting as they need to actively keep aware of their collaborators' progress and intents. In this paper, we aim to investigate ways to assist programmers' prompt engineering in a collaborative context. We first conducted a formative study to understand the workflows and challenges of programmers when using NL for collaborative programming. Based on our findings, we implemented a prototype, CoPrompt, to support collaborative prompt engineering by providing referring, requesting, sharing, and linking mechanisms. Our user study indicates that CoPrompt assists programmers in comprehending collaborators' prompts and building on their collaborators' work, reducing repetitive updates and communication costs.

Details

1009240
Identifier / keyword
Title
CoPrompt: Supporting Prompt Sharing and Referring in Collaborative Natural Language Programming
Publication title
arXiv.org; Ithaca
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Mar 1, 2024
Section
Computer Science
Publisher
Cornell University Library, arXiv.org
Source
arXiv.org
Place of publication
Ithaca
Country of publication
United States
University/institution
Cornell University Library arXiv.org
e-ISSN
2331-8422
Source type
Working Paper
Language of publication
English
Document type
Working Paper
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2024-06-18
Milestone dates
2023-10-13 (Submission v1); 2023-12-26 (Submission v2); 2024-03-01 (Submission v3)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
18 Jun 2024
ProQuest document ID
2878322846
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/working-papers/coprompt-supporting-prompt-sharing-referring/docview/2878322846/se-2?accountid=208611
Full text outside of ProQuest
Copyright
© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2024-07-09
Database
ProQuest One Academic