Abstract
The two largest causes for battery consumption on mobile devices are related with the display and network operations. Since most application need to share data and communicate with remote servers, communications should be as lightweight and efficient as possible. In network communication, serialization plays a central role as the process of converting an object into a stream of bytes. One of the most popular data-interchange format is JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). This paper presents a survey on JSON parsers in mobile scenarios. The aim of the survey is to find the most efficient JSON parser in mobile communications characterised by high transfer rate of small amounts of data. In the performance benchmark we compare the time required to read and write data with several popular JSON parser implementations such as Gson, Jackson, org.json and others. The results of this survey are important for others that need to select an efficient parser for mobile communication. © Ricardo Queirós.

Abstract
Today we use the Web for almost everything, even to program. There are several specialized code editors gravitating on the Web and emulating most of the features inherited from traditional IDEs, such as, syntax highlight, code folding, autocompletion and even code refactorization. One of the techniques to speed the code development is the use of snippets as predefined code blocks that can be automatically included in the code. Although several Web editors support this functionality, they come with a limited set of snippets, not allowing the contribution of new blocks of code. Even if that would be possible, they would be available only to the code's owner or to the editors' users through a private cloud repository. This paper describes the design and implementation of Sni'per, a RESTful API that allows public access for multi-language programming code-blocks ordered by popularity. Besides being able to access code snippets from other users and score them, we can also contribute with our own snippets creating a global network of shared code. In order to make coding against this API easier, we create a client library that reduces the amount of code required to write and make the code more robust. © Ricardo Queirós and Alberto Simões;licensed under Creative Commons License CC-BY.

Abstract
Existent computer programming training environments help users to learn programming by solving problems from scratch. Nevertheless, initiating the resolution of a program can be frustrating and demotivating if the student does not know where and how to start. Skeleton programming facilitates a top-down design approach, where a partially functional system with complete highlevel structures is available, so the student needs only to progressively complete or update the code to meet the requirements of the problem. This paper presents CodeSkelGen - a program skeleton generator. CodeSkelGen generates skeleton or buggy Java programs from a complete annotated program solution provided by the teacher. The annotations are formally described within an annotation type and processed by an annotation processor. This processor is responsible for a set of actions ranging from the creation of dummy methods to the exchange of operator types included in the source code. The generator tool will be included in a learning environment that aims to assist teachers in the creation of programming exercises and to help students in their resolution. © Ricardo Queirós.

Abstract
Computer technologies are forever evolving and it is vital that computer science educators find new methods of teaching programming in order to maintain the rapid changes occurring in the field. One of the ways to increase student engagement and retention is by integrating games into the curriculum. Gamification-Based E-Learning Strategies for Computer Programming Education evaluates the different approaches and issues faced in integrating games into computer education settings. Featuring emergent trends on the application of gaming to pedagogical strategies and technological tactics, as well as new methodologies and approaches being utilized in computer programming courses, this book is an essential reference source for practitioners, researchers, computer science teachers, and students pursuing computer science.

Abstract
The advent of Internet and ubiquitous technologies has been fostering the appearance of intelligent mobile applications aware of their environment and the objects nearby. Despite its popularity, mobile developers are often required to write large and disorganized amounts of code, mixing UI with business logic and interact, in a ad-hoc fashion, with sensor devices and services. These habits hinder the code maintenance, refactoring and testing, while negatively influencing the consistency and performance of mobile applications. In this paper we present Magni as an abstract framework for the design and implementation of personalized and context-aware mobile applications. The corner stone of the framework is its architectural pattern based on the Model-View-Presenter pattern in the UI layer relying in REST services the majority of the app features. This paradigm fosters the modular design, implementing the separation of concerns concept and allowing an easier implementation of unit tests. In order to validate the framework, we present a prototype for an healthcare automotive app. The main goal of the app is to facilitate the access to health related points of interest such as hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

Abstract
Teaching and learning computer programming is as challenging as it is difficult. Assessing the work of students and providing individualised feedback is time-consuming and error prone for teachers and frequently involves a time delay. The existent tools prove to be insufficient in domains where there is a greater need to practice. At the same time, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are appearing, revealing a new way of learning. However, this paradigm raises serious questions regarding the monitoring of student progress and its timely feedback. This chapter provides a conceptual design model for a computer programming learning environment. It uses the portal interface design model, gathering information from a network of services such as repositories, program evaluators, and learning management systems, a central piece in the MOOC realm. This model is not limited to the domain of computer programming and can be adapted to any area that requires evaluation with immediate feedback. © 2015, IGI Global.