VisuAlgo, A Simple Visualization Tool, or Something More?
When it comes to tracing algorithms, it is easy to lose the train of thought and get lost in the midst of it. So, if you are struggling to learn a new algorithm or a data structure, you might want to give VisuAlgo a visit!
So what is it exactly?
VisuAlgo is an online visualization tool designed for anyone interested in data structures and algorithms. Undergraduate and graduate students of Computer Science usually visit this website.
In the beginning, it might seem to be just a simple visualization platform. Still, once you explore the site more, you realize that it can compete with Tutorial websites or other visualization websites; best of both worlds!
On the home page, you can find 23 Modules, of which:
- 4 have more than two variations
- 4 have two variations
- 15 are simple algorithms
The Visualization Component
This Component has two Modes; 1)e-Lecture Mode and 2)Exploration Mode.
To keep it short, The e-Lecture Mode is the Tutorial, and the Exploration Mode is what we came for, which is the visualization.
Working with the interface is pretty straightforward for first-time users.
It’s easy to close the tutorial message(skip the e-lecture mode) and end up being confused and displeased with the visualization since you don’t know how things are working. So I don’t recommend skipping it!
The e-Lecture Mode gives a comprehensive tutorial on the topic. It also teaches the prerequisites if you don’t know them yet! (i.e., Time Complexity)
The slides are concise and contain all the essential information you need. There are even Mini Quizzes in between slides to ensure you are still engaged. External links are also provided for further read.
Basically, this Mode covers the syllabus taught in a Data Structures or Algorithms class.
In The Exploration Mode, you can see how the algorithm runs from beginning to end. Commands are chosen through the bottom left of the page, and the code is shown step by step on the bottom right. You can also set the pace and navigate the visualization like a movie!
The Training Component
Also, there is a Training component that you can use to take quizzes to measure your knowledge. (Currently, only 12 Modules have the quiz option.)
The quizzes give feedback on how much you are skilled on the topic.
- Quiz questions are challenging. But if you take a quiz with 20 questions on only one topic, you might notice several questions with the same pattern and even see an exact question twice.
- The questions are diverse, and students will see all kinds of input methods to answer the question. They range from selecting vertex/edge, selecting a subset, entering a number in an input box, or drawing the answer graph.
- The instructor/lecturer account lets you design a quiz from the available set of questions on the website. If you are a general user, you can only create the quiz for yourself.
- Once you are finished with the quiz, you can see your score and reflect on your answers with the help of the visualization.
VisuAlgo has no noticeable drawbacks in Visualization or Performance, which is excellent. Just Like every work in progress, recent algorithms are not complete in tutorials and quizzes. For instance, if you had no prior exposure to TSP, you might be confused about how the visualization works.
This Project was an effort of Dr. Steven Halim, Dr. Felix Halim and a team of undergraduate students. You can contact the team if you check the ‘About’ on the bottom of website.
Recap
In conclusion, VisuAlgo is not just a visualization tool but a platform for students and instructors to learn and teach the algorithms and data structures.
The e-Lecture Mode is a comprehensive module for learning the topic. The Exploration Mode lets you work around and learn by yourself. And last but not least, the Training Component enables you to test your knowledge. If you are an instructor, it can act as an assisting tool and saves you the trouble of tracing algorithms in class. You can also use it to take quizzes too.
If you haven’t visited this site yet, I encourage you to give it a go!
