viz/GrowingTree - Algoviz Wiki

Growing Tree

Recommendation

Recommended

Link

http://www.cs.princeton.edu/introcs/GrowingTree/GT.jnlp

Delivery Method

Java Web Start

License

Unlicensed Sourcecode

Language

English

Author

Corey Sanders; Bob Sedgewick; Kevin Wayne

Institution

Princeton University

Project

StandAlone

RelationshipToProject

StandAlone

Works

Yes

Description

Includes RedBlackTrees, BinarySearchTrees, and SplayTrees. It allows the user to create randomly generated input data or to insert user’s own input data for a splay tree in different formats such as integer, double, and character. Users can construct a splay tree by directly inserting, deleting, and splaying tree nodes to the top. The user can also select different tree operations such as in, pre- and post-order traversals. It provides a number of flexible user controls including the speed control, stop, forward, backward steps, etc. Text-based descriptions are displayed for each algorithm step. The textual descriptions include miscellaneous information about the tree including the size, number of elements and depth. This text information can define a history of the algorithm.

Evaluation

One of the best AVs for the splay tree. It provides interaction-oriented operations and adjustable spatial layout with intuitive animations. This AV includes almost all necessary features for the splay tree. Randomly generated input data offered many advantages for a beginner to start with some input. It also allows constructing the splay tree with user’s own input dataset. The graphic representation and animation for the splay tree is intuitive and helpful for understanding each algorithm step. A small text window lists algorithm steps that are performed. The AV has a simple, intuitive interface. For new users, it can be difficult to get started, though, since there is no help facility or introduction to the AV. The user can select a node by clicking it. A context menu then appears which allows double rotation, splay to the top, and delete. Controls at the top allow nodes to be inserted. There are some weaknesses.The layout is spacious but the number representation seems sometimes misleading during the animation and transformation. There is a problem with scalability of nodes in representation of the tree. When the number of elements in the tree grows beyond 10, the nodes become too small for the user to read. There is no quiz or exercise mode to encourage self-evaluation. Some controls ambiguous . For example, although those controls present on the interface menu, backwards and forwards steps of the animation don't seem to do anything. The history window is too small.

ActivityLevel

User Data; Random Data

GoodFor

Teaching the Concept; Exploring the Concept

Screenshots