Automatic grading of students' ALGOL programming

The report describes an experiment on automatic grading of student algorithms, using an ALGOL compiler. The experiment is based on an evaluation of the efficiency and logical completeness of the algorithms, not on their formal correctness, which is supposed to be checked in advance by the individual student. The technique used is to embed the student algorithms within a larger grading program structure, which supplies test cases and performs checks and evaluation. The complete text of such a grading program is given. The experience gained through the experiment, and suggestions for further developments, are discussed.