Efficient Data Structures & Algorithms Hunter: A Study in Optimization

Abstract

Abstract: Data Structures and Algorithms is a fundamental course in Computer Science. However, many students find it difficult because it requires abstract thinking. It would be very helpful if there was a visualization tool of data structures such as arrays, queues, stacks, trees, and graphs for students to manipulate. The tool would allow students to see how an element is inserted into or deleted from different data structures, how a tree is traversed in different order (preorder, in-order, post-order, level-order), etc. Moreover, this tool would provide a simple language, by which students can write their own algorithms so that the execution of the algorithm is animated. This project is intended to create an exploration environment, in which students can learn through experimentation. This tool can be used as an effective supplement to the traditional classroom education and textbook for Data Structures and Algorithms courses. In this paper, a software application that features the visualization of commonly used data structures and their associated insertion and deletion operations is introduced. In addition, this software can be used to animate user-defined algorithms.