The Graphical Representation of Algorithmic Processes. Volume 1
Abstract
Traditionally, software engineers have described algorithms and data structures using graphical representations such as flow charts, structure charts, and block diagrams. These representations can give a static general overview of an algorithm, but they fail to fully illustrate an algorithm's dynamic behavior. Researchers have begun to develop systems to visualize, or animate, algorithms in execution. The form of the visualization depends on the algorithm being examined, the data structures being used, and the ingenuity of the programmer implementing the animation. This thesis chronicles the development of the AFIT Algorithm Animation Research Facility (AAARF). The goal of the study is (1) to develop a method for developing algorithm animations and (2) to develop an environment in which the animations can be displayed. The study emphasizes the application of modern software engineering techniques. The development follows a classic life-cycle software engineering paradigm: requirements, design, implementation, and testing. An object-oriented approach is used for the preliminary design. The system is implemented with the C programming language on a Sun workstation and uses the Sun View window-based environment. A framework is proposed for developing algorithm animations that minimizes the development time for client-programmers. (KR)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA215359
Entities
People
- Keith C. Fife
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology