BIB-VERSION:: CS-TR-v2.0
ID:: ncstrl.dartmouthcs//TR91-165
ENTRY:: January 20, 1995
ORGANIZATION:: Dartmouth College, Computer Science
TITLE:: An Object-Oriented Learning/Design Support Environment
TYPE:: Technical Report (paper)
REVISION:: 1
AUTHOR:: David, Jill P.
AUTHOR:: Jumes, Julie C.
AUTHOR:: Makedon, Fillia
NOTE:: The 'January' in DATE is an arbitrary placeholder.
DATE:: January 1991
RETRIEVAL:: For a paper copy, email <reports@cs.dartmouth.edu>
RETRIEVAL:: For a paper copy, write to
       Technical Report Librarian
       Department of Computer Science
       Dartmouth College
       6211 Sudikoff Laboratory
       Hanover, NH 03755-3510
       USA
RETRIEVAL:: PDF at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/reports/TR91-165.pdf
ABSTRACT::
	We present an object-oriented experimental learning and design
support environment, call AVT, for an Algorithm Visualization Tool,
implemented in Digitalk's Smalltalk/V1 on a Macintosh II2, AVT
provides a domain- independent visualization tool, an exploratory
learning environment, and an experimental heuristic design
environment.  Algorithm visualization is the exploration of ways to
visualize intuitively the computational behavior of an algorithm using
multiple views, some of which are visual in the graphical sense [2,4].
AVT employs other views (combining text and graphics) to explain the
problem, the strategy, the heuristics, and the reasoning process
behind the solutions.  User interaction in AVT includes not only
passive viewingof the animated algorithmic process but also active
participation in the design of the steps of the algorithm.
Object-Oriented Programming(OOP)offers an attractive paradigm for
rapidly implementing heuristics as well as more coherent and
understandable code [1,12].  Inheritance properties of OOP languages
capture natural mechanisms such as specialization, abstraction, and
evolution allowing us to model our environment in a more natural
manner[11].
END:: ncstrl.dartmouthcs//TR91-165