Sinhala Java Development Aid with Machine Translation Integration

Programming plays a vital role in computer science. However, beginners often face challenges such as limited availability of programming resources and language barriers. A Sinhala programming aid specifically designed for new Java programmers is proposed to address these issues. Ensuring translator accuracy is essential to overcoming the language barrier. To assist with translations, a transformer-based model was trained on a Java-specific dataset, achieving an accuracy of 84%. This model assists in generating the responses based on questions that have been translated and integrated with the ChatGPT. This two-in-one application lets users submit Java code to get explanations in Sinhala, or input queries in Sinhala to get equivalent Java code snippets, effectively removing linguistic barriers from the learning process. The system architecture includes a robust back-end API, an advanced translation model that guarantees accurate and contextually relevant translations, and an easy-to-use front-end developed with Flask. Usability and functionality testing were conducted with ten novice Sinhala-speaking programmers. Their feedback was instrumental in improving the tool's usability and efficacy. This study addresses the integration of several technologies to improve the accessibility of programming instruction for Sinhala-speaking learners. It also elaborates on the development process, from basic concept to execution phases. By providing a localized learning environment, the proposed technology simplifies learning programming and aids in concept retention while promoting a more inclusive global coding community.