Integrating Algorithm Visualization Systems

Helping students to understand difficult pieces of code remains a challenge in Computer Science education. By providing a view of the code on a higher level of abstraction, Algorithm Visualization (AV) aims at making the code more understandable. However, teachers consider producing AVs with the existing tools to require too much time and effort to be worthwhile.One way to lower this effort is to allow data exchange between AV systems. This paper continues the work of the ITiCSE Working Group (WG) “Development of XML-based Tools to Support User Interaction with Algorithm Visualization”. The WG aimed at specifying a common language for AV systems. We analyzed a number of existing AV languages and came up with requirements for a common language. Based on these requirements and the previous work by the WG, this paper defines a new AV language. Furthermore, this study describes a set of tools that allow data exchange between some of the existing AV systems. This data exchange gives teachers more choices and ready-made examples to be used in teaching.