GASP-II: A Geometric Algorithm Animation System for an Electronic Classroom

Abstract

This paper describes GASP--II, an algorithm animation system for geometric computing. Because views of the same running algorithm may reside on different machines, GASP--II is particularly suitable for an electronic classroom. End-user may choose to use different views of the same running algorithm, allowing each student to study the algorithm in the most appropriate way. Moreover, end-users can run the animation in different speeds, and focus on the parts of the algorithm which they find difficult. Limiting the domain to computational geometry makes it possible to automate large parts of the process of creating an animation and the programmer can choose to be isolate from any concern about how graphics is done. Finally, GASP--II provides a visual debugging facility for geometric computing. 1 Introduction Geometric algorithms can be highly complex and difficult to grasp. The ability to visually follow the construction and manipulation of geometric objects all the way, can greatly faci..