ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO CONCRETE IMPLEMENTATION - Visualizing the Evolution of Data Structures through Animation

Christopher Smith, Jeffrey Strauss, Peter Maher

2010

Abstract

Data Structures and Algorithms courses are known to be a particularly challenging hurdle to overcome for computer science students. Specifically, many students struggle with being able to visualize detailed transformations as data structures evolve under standard operations. Such an understanding is a critical factor for success in later software engineering courses, and therefore represents a vital platform on which many more advanced principles are built. This paper describes a data structure visualization tool designed to graphically demonstrate the manipulation of well-known data structures via standard operations. The tool is designed to enable instructors to enhance the effectiveness of their lectures, and for students wishing to solidify their understanding of key concepts via a user-friendly, animated environment. We detail the primary features of the software, discuss the key benefits, and describe potential future enhancements.

References

  1. Aho, A., Ullman, J., Hopcroft, J., 1983. Data Structures and Algorithms,Addison Wesley.
  2. Chen, T., Sobh, T., 2001. A Tool for Data Structure Visualization and User-defined Algorithm Animation, fie, vol. 1, pp.TID-2-7vol.1, Frontiers in Education Conference, 2001. 31st Annual, 2001.
  3. Erkan, A., VanSlyke, T.J., Scaffidi, T., Data Structure Visualization with LaTeX and Prefuse. ITICSE 2007, Dundee, Scotland.
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Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

Smith C., Strauss J. and Maher P. (2010). ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO CONCRETE IMPLEMENTATION - Visualizing the Evolution of Data Structures through Animation . In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-674-023-8, pages 282-287. DOI: 10.5220/0002794802820287


in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu10,
author={Christopher Smith and Jeffrey Strauss and Peter Maher},
title={ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO CONCRETE IMPLEMENTATION - Visualizing the Evolution of Data Structures through Animation},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2010},
pages={282-287},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0002794802820287},
isbn={978-989-674-023-8},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - ABSTRACT CONCEPTS TO CONCRETE IMPLEMENTATION - Visualizing the Evolution of Data Structures through Animation
SN - 978-989-674-023-8
AU - Smith C.
AU - Strauss J.
AU - Maher P.
PY - 2010
SP - 282
EP - 287
DO - 10.5220/0002794802820287