Matrix - Applications and features

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TRAKLA2

TRAKLA2 is an automatic exercise system for algorithms and data structures. Teacher can set up individually tailored exercises about various algorithms that the learner can solve by graphically manipulating data structures on the Web. Setting up exercises requires Java programming. The current system is integrated to a learning environment that takes care of publishing the exercises (publishes web pages with appropriate applet tags for the parameterized TRAKLA2 applet) and storing the results (the points that the students get from the exercises). The system can be used both for formative and summative assessment. The Matrix algorithm animation capabilities are applied, for example, to provide a model solutions for each exercise.

Fully working demonstration of TRAKLA2 exercises is available on the Web. You can take contact to the Matrix research group for more details by sending email to matrix@cs.hut.fi.

MatrixPro

MatrixPro is a tool for instructors to create algorithm animations used in teaching. MatrixPro offers functionality to manipulate the automatically generated algorithm animations in order to produce the kinds of animations the lecturer wants. In addition, it has a library of predefined data structures and algorithms that make it easy for users to visualize and animate their own algorithms implemented in Java. The animations can be prepared prior to the lecture or on-the-fly during the lecture. Teachers can also make new exercises for the students (see also TRAKLA2 for more details).

For computer science students, MatrixPro can be a tool for figuring out how different algoritms work. It also has several exercises that the student can solve to test his or her knowledge about a topic.

MVT - Matrix Visual Tester

MVT is a visual testing tool based on Matrix. However, MVT is only a very limited prototype to illustrate the ideas related to visual testing and its applications.

MVT visualizes the state of a running Java program (which we will refer to as the debuggee). Most of this state consists of the data structures of the program. This places MVT firmly in the domain of program visualization even though Matrix is primarily designed for algorithm visualization.

MVT also allows the user to modify data values in the debuggee, invoke methods (including constructors) and start and stop the execution of the debuggee and the individual threads in it. In other words, MVT allows the user to manipulate a Java virtual machine (JVM) and arbitrary Java classes in much the same way Matrix on its own allows the user to manipulate data structures implemented specifically for Matrix.