Code Similarity assignments in Inspera Originality support the cross-examination of submitted code files for potential similarity. Code Similarity assignments include a dedicated set of settings and support a wide range of file types across various programming languages. This guide outlines the process of creating, administering, and evaluating a Code Similarity assignment.
The Code Similarity assignment type is available across all Inspera Originality LMS integrations and is included by default in the standalone version of Inspera Originality.
Code Similarity Basics
Code Similarity assignments in Inspera Originality follow a straightforward process. The workflow includes creating the assignment, receiving submissions, initiating the code check. Originality Reports for code submissions are automatically generated upon processing completion.
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To create a Code Similarity assignment, navigate to the Add Units menu (+ icon) and enter the Create Assignment tab.
Next, configure the settings for the new Code Similarity assignment.
Option Description Assignment Type Code Similarity Assignment Name Enter a name for the assignment File Type Specify the accepted file type for code submissions
Options:
Java Python C C++
C# JavaScript TypeScript Go
Kotlin R Rust Swift
Scala Plain Text
Subject Select the corresponding subject for the assignment Start Date Specify the assignment start date End Date Specify the assignment end date Description Enter a description for the assignment Late Submissions Choose whether to enable or disable late submissions -
After successfully creating the code similarity assignment, the next step is to initiate the code check. Educators may initiate the code check at any time once submissions are received.
Each submission is compared against all other submissions available at the time of the check. For example, Submission 1 is compared to every other submitted assignment, followed by Submission 2 being checked against all others, and this process continues for each submission.
To initiate a code similarity check, navigate to Administration → Assignment and initiate the check for the corresponding code similarity assignment.
Submissions received after the code check has been initiated will not be included unless the code check is restarted.
Once all submissions have been received, click Start Code Check to initiate processing.
The button will change to Code Check in Process, indicating that the check has begun.
The button will change to Code Check Done, indicating that the check is complete. If additional submissions are received after the check has been initiated and completed, click the refresh icon next to the button to reinitiate the code check and assess the newly received submissions.
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After successfully creating the code similarity assignment and initiating the code check for the received submissions, the next step is to view the code similarity report for those submissions.
Each submission features a dedicated code similarity report, allowing the educator individually review and assess the level of code similarity a submission displays to all other submissions in the assignment.
To open the code similarity report for a submission, navigate to the Submissions section and click View Report for the desired submission. To enhance navigation, we recommend filtering code similarity submissions by assignment.
The submission for which the report was opened is shown on the left side, while one of the other code submissions from the same assignment appears on the right. Highlights identify areas of overlap without reflecting the severity of the similarity.
The submission displayed on the right can be switched to another student submission, enabling the educator to compare the left side file individually with all other submissions as needed.
Maximum similarity indicates the highest level of code similarity detected between the submission on the left side and another submission within the same assignment.