Toward Improving Binary Program Comprehension via Embodied Immersion: A Survey

Binary program comprehension is critical for many use cases but is difficult, suffering from compounded uncertainty and lack of full automation. We seek methods to improve the effectiveness of the human-machine joint cognitive system performing binary PC. We survey three research areas to perform an indirect cognitive task analysis: cognitive models of the PC process, related elements of cognitive theory, and applicable affordances of virtual reality. Based on common elements in these areas, we identify three overarching themes: enhancing abductive iteration, augmenting working memory, and supporting information organization. These themes spotlight several affordances of VR to exploit in future studies of immersive tools for binary PC.