ALGAE  - Algorithm Animation Engine

ALGAE is a framework for quick construction of algorithm animations. ALGAE is aimed at computer science instructors who, like myself, employ LCD overhead pads or projectors to display computer video output in the classroom or who teach web-based courses in programming and data structures.

ALGAE  allows the instructor to take typical C++ or Java code from a course's textbook or lecture notes and, with relatively little effort, produce an "animated" version of that code. These animations will show the data as it is being manipulated by the code. The picture below shows a typical animation in progress. AlgAE animation

ALGAE 's goal is to let an instructor quickly animate code obtained from the course's textbook, and to display these animations in a classroom setting (relatively few objects on the screen, but drawn large enough to be visible in a large classroom, using an overhead LCD pad or similar display device).

ALGAE version 2.0 is available as a free download. Version 2.0 uses a Java frontend to manage the user interface. Java and C++ backends support animimation of Java and C++ algorithms, respectively. ALGAE animations can be run as standalone applications or as applets from Web pages.