What is Visual Algorithm Simulation

Understanding data structures and algorithms is an integral part of software engineering and elementary computer science education. However, people usually have difficulty in understanding abstract concepts and processes such as procedural encoding of algorithms and data structures. One way to improve their understanding is to provide visualizations to make the abstract concepts more concrete. In this chapter, we represent a novel idea to promote the interaction between the user and the algorithm visualization system called visual algorithm simulation. As a proof of concept, we represent an application framework called Matrix that encapsulates the idea of visual algorithm simulation. The framework is applied by the TRAKLA2 learning environment in which algorithm simulation is employed to produce algorithm simulation exercises. Moreover, we discuss the benefits of such exercises and applications of visual algorithm simulation in general.