Pathfinding Algorithms
Interactive Visualization of Search Algorithms
A comprehensive educational tool visualizing popular pathfinding algorithms (BFS and DFS) in action on an interactive grid. The project includes maze generation capabilities, step-by-step algorithm execution visualization, and code generation for various programming languages.
Overview
The Pathfinding Algorithms project was developed as part of a university course on Client Web Technologies, combining web development with data structures and algorithms concepts. It offers an intuitive visualization of how different search algorithms navigate through a grid to find a path from a start point to an end point.
This interactive educational tool allows users to see the execution of BFS (Breadth-First Search) and DFS (Depth-First Search) algorithms in real-time, with visual indicators showing the search process step by step. Users can also create their own mazes by drawing walls on the grid or choosing from pre-generated maze patterns.
Beyond visualization, the project also includes a code generation feature that produces algorithm implementations in various programming languages (JavaScript, Java, C++, Python), helping users understand how these algorithms can be implemented in practice.
Key Features
Algorithm Visualization
Interactive visualization of BFS and DFS pathfinding algorithms, showing the exploration process step by step with color-coded cells indicating visited nodes, path nodes, and walls.
Maze Creation
Users can create custom mazes by drawing walls directly on the grid or choose from pre-generated maze patterns loaded via AJAX from XML files.
Code Generation
Generates algorithm implementations in multiple programming languages including JavaScript, Java, C++, and Python, helping users understand the underlying code.
Interactive Grid
Fully interactive grid system with movable start and end points, and the ability to draw walls by clicking and dragging on the cells.
Educational Content
Comprehensive educational materials about algorithms, their properties, and classifications, providing context for the visualization demonstrations.
Path Highlighting
Once a path is found, the solution path is highlighted separately from the visited nodes, clearly showing the optimal route from start to end.
Architecture & Implementation
The Pathfinding Algorithms project is structured using a modular approach with clear separation of concerns:
- Grid Representation: An interactive matrix system built with HTML tables, where each cell represents a node in the graph with properties like position, state (empty, wall, start, end), and visual representation.
- Algorithm Implementation: The core algorithms (BFS and DFS) are implemented with appropriate data structures (queues for BFS, stacks/recursion for DFS), with simulation controls that allow for step-by-step execution.
- Maze Generation: The project includes both manual maze creation through user interaction and pre-designed mazes loaded from XML files using AJAX.
- Code Generation System: Dynamically generates algorithm implementations in different programming languages by retrieving code templates from XML files.
- Session Management: Uses browser session storage to maintain user state and preferences across page navigation.
- User Interface: Interactive UI with controls for algorithm selection, maze generation, visualization speed, and grid manipulation implemented through event-driven JavaScript.
Technology Stack
JavaScript
Algorithm implementation, visualization logic, and DOM manipulation
HTML5
Structure for the grid and user interface components
CSS3
Styling for grid cells, animations, and UI elements
AJAX
Loading maze patterns and code templates from XML files
XML
Data storage for maze patterns and algorithm code templates
Session Storage API
Persistent user state management across pages
Visualization Showcase
Algorithm Execution
When an algorithm is selected and executed, the search process is visualized cell by cell. Visited cells are highlighted in green, showing the exploration pattern unique to each algorithm. BFS expands in a wave-like pattern, while DFS explores deeply along a path before backtracking.
If a path is found, it is highlighted in silver, showing the route from start to end. If no path exists, the visualization will indicate that all possible routes have been explored without reaching the destination.
Maze Generation
The project supports creating complex mazes through multiple methods. Users can draw walls manually by clicking and dragging on the grid, or select pre-designed maze patterns from a dropdown menu.
Pre-designed mazes are loaded from XML files using AJAX, demonstrating practical implementation of asynchronous data loading in web applications.
Explore the Project
Check out the GitHub repository to explore the code, learn about the implementation details, and see how pathfinding algorithms can be visualized in an interactive web environment.
View on GitHub