Puzzles, Problems, and Programs

Explore the fascinating intersection of puzzles, problems, and programming in this 40-minute conference talk from Strange Loop. Delve into the cognitive abilities required for various types of puzzles, focusing on those that rely on mental model alignment. Discover how leveraging mental models creates a spectrum of experiences, from handcrafted puzzles to programming problems with wide solution spaces. Learn about successful techniques for building accurate mental models through interaction, particularly through informative failure. Examine how these techniques apply across the spectrum of puzzles, problems, and programs, gaining insights into the connections between these seemingly disparate domains.