  Context: Application Programming Interface (API) code examples are an
essential knowledge resource for learning APIs. However, a few user studies
have explored how the structural characteristics of the source code in code
examples impact their comprehensibility and reusability. Objectives: We
investigated whether the (a) linearity and (b) length of the source code in API
code examples affect users performance in terms of correctness and time spent.
We also collected subjective ratings. Methods: We conducted an online
controlled code comprehension experiment with 61 Java developers. As a case
study, we used the API code examples from the Joda-Time Java library. We had
participants perform code comprehension and reuse tasks on variants of the
example with different lengths and degrees of linearity. Findings: Participants
demonstrated faster reaction times when exposed to linear code examples.
However, no substantial differences in correctness or subjective ratings were
observed. Implications: Our findings suggest that the linear presentation of a
source code may enhance initial example understanding and reusability. This, in
turn, may provide API developers with some insights into the effective
structuring of their API code examples. However, we highlight the need for
further investigation.
