In a Software Products Line (SPL) there may be features which can be implemented by different components, which means there are several implementations for the same feature. In this context, the selection of the best components set to implement a given configuration is a challenging task due to the high number of combinations and options which could be selected. In certain scenarios, it is possible to find information associated with the components which could help in this selection task, such as user ratings. In this paper, we introduce a component-based recommender system, called (REcommender System that suggest implementation Components from selecteD fEatures), which uses information associated with the implementation components to make recommendations in the domain of SPL configuration. We also provide a RESDEC reference implementation that supports collaborative-based and content-based filtering algorithms to recommend (i.e., implementation components) regarding WordPress-based websites configuration. Empirical results, on a knowledge base with 680 plugins and 187,000 ratings by 116,000 users, show promising results. Concretely, this indicates that it is possible to guide the user throughout the implementation components selection with a margin of error smaller than 13% according to our evaluation.

Actualmente en Ecuador, el problema que existe en el ámbito de la medicina veterinaria, es que en la mayoría de las clínicas no cuentan con herramientas tecnológicas para llevar una gestión centralizada y digitalizada de la información, siendo que aún lo realizan de forma manual lo que conlleva a que la organización de los expedientes almacenados se dificulte y en muchos casos ocasione la pérdida o la duplicidad de información. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar una aplicación web mediante el uso de software libre para la administración de información en clínicas veterinarias que contribuya al mejoramiento de los procesos administrativos y facilite el trabajo a los empleados. En cuanto a la metodología utilizada para el desarrollo de esta aplicación, fue un modelo de proceso iterativo e incremental, el cual permitió lograr los objetivos propuestos y entregar un producto de calidad que resuelva la problemática existente en las veterinarias. Por lo tanto, el resultado de esta aplicación web generó los siguientes beneficios: reducir el tiempo de atención a las mascotas, acceder a la información de manera ágil, lograr que el manejo de la información sea más eficiente, mejorar la búsqueda de registros, así como la gestión de expedientes clínicos y aportar con el cuidado del medio ambiente al reducir la generación de desperdicios. Finalmente, se propone esta aplicación web como una solución para mejorar los procesos manejados en la clínica veterinaria, todo con el fin de incorporar nuevas tecnologías en esta área para alcanzar su máximo desarrollo y rentabilidad.

The need for knowledgeable programmers has increased, highlighting the importance of strong programming foundations in engineering education. Limited access to high‐quality learning materials and educational opportunities presents challenges unrelated to information and communication technology (ICT) field (non‐ICT‐related) students in acquiring programming skills. Educational programming languages (EPLs) such as App Lab have gained popularity as they offer an accessible platform for students to learn programming fundamentals in a visual and interactive manner. This paper examines the impact of the EPL called App Lab on the development of fundamental programming skills among non‐ICT‐related field engineering college students. We conducted a quasiexperimental research study using a single‐blinded, nonequivalent control group pretest–posttest design. The study included 56 participants, all of whom were enrolled in the Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology program at the State University of Milagro (UNEMI), Ecuador. The experimental group consisted of 26 students, while the control group comprised 30 students. The assessment process involved the administration of a battery of 200 questions before and after the intervention. The intervention involved the use of App Lab as an EPL and lasted for a duration of 3 weeks exclusively for the experimental group, while the control group followed their usual tutoring program. The study results showed that students who received EPL‐mediated learning with App Lab had significant increase in their programming skills. App Lab demonstrated a positive impact, particularly among male students who reported Internet usage, as well as in advanced programming topics including loops, lists, and functions, when compared to their female counterparts.

In preuniversity education, educators and decision‐makers need to understand how teaching methods affect student learning in computational thinking (CT). This helps identify factors influencing student outcomes and inform the development of personalized learning programs. In this article, we conduct a comparative analysis of the academic performance of students enrolled in CT courses delivered through online (OL), blended (BL), and face‐to‐face (FTF) modalities in one public university in Ecuador. Our analysis focuses on preuniversity students during the academic year 2023. First, we collect data on student demographics and academic performance in each modality. Then, we applied statistical analysis to determine significant relationships between modalities. Next, we examine patterns and relationships between sociodemographic factors and academic results. Our results reveal that instructional modality has a significant impact on CT performance, with FTF students achieving better outcomes. Across all formats, admission scores and gender emerged as key predictors. While sociodemographic factors had greater influence in the FTF modality, academic factors played a more prominent role in BL and OL escenarios.