Learning Algorithms by Watching Them Move
You can read a description of the KMP string matching algorithm a dozen times and still not quite see it. The same goes for hash table collisions or the mechanics of a merge sort. Text and pseudocode only get you so far—sometimes you need to watch the thing actually happen. That's the gap algorithm-base is trying to fill.
What It Does
algorithm-base is a collection of algorithm and data structure explanations built around animated simulations and diagrams. Instead of just walking through code, each entry shows the algorithm in motion so you can follow what's happening step by step. The material is organized into clear categories: foundational data structures (hash tables, stacks and queues, linked lists, recursion, trees), string matching algorithms (BF, BM, and KMP), and sorting algorithms (bubble sort, simple selection sort, insertion sort, shell sort, merge sort, and more).
The project is written in Chinese and hosted on GitHub, with a companion site at chengxuchu.com that the README recommends for more stable reading. Each topic links to an individual markdown file inside the repo. The hash table entry, for example, is described as a long-form deep dive, while the others lean more heavily on animation and diagrams to carry the explanation.
Why It's Cool
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Animation does the teaching. The core idea here is that some algorithms are much easier to grasp visually than textually. String matching in particular (BF, BM, KMP) is notoriously hard to internalize from prose, and the animated approach fits that subject well.
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It covers the fundamentals, not just the flashy stuff. You get the prerequisite data structures—hash tables, stacks, queues, linked lists, recursion, trees—before moving into the algorithm categories. That ordering makes sense if you're building up from the ground.
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It's honest about being a reading resource. The README points you to the online version for stability and notes the repo will keep being maintained. There's no claim of interactivity or a fancy web app—just well-organized written explanations with visuals.
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The scope is broad within its lane. Three string matching algorithms, six sorting algorithms listed, and a solid set of data structure primers is a reasonable spread for anyone working through the basics or prepping for interviews.
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It's open to contributions. The README explicitly invites people to contribute code and offers a contact for anyone who wants to help, which is a good sign for a learning resource that'll need to keep growing.
How to Try It
There's nothing to install—this is a reading resource, so getting started is mostly about where you open it.
- Head to the repository: github.com/chefyuan/algorithm-base
- For the most stable reading experience, use the recommended site: www.chengxuchu.com
- Pick a category from the README—data structures, string matching, or sorting—and follow the link to the topic you want. Each entry is a self-contained markdown file.
- If you want to contribute, the README lists a WeChat contact for reaching the maintainer with a note that you're contributing to the repo.
One practical caveat: the material is in Chinese, so you'll want at least reading fluency (or a translation tool) to get the most out of it.
Final Thoughts
algorithm-base is a focused, no-frills study companion for people working through core algorithms and data structures—especially if you learn better from visuals than from walls of code. It won't replace a textbook or a hands-on coding session, and the language barrier limits its reach for some readers. But as a supplementary way to finally see how KMP or a hash table works, it fills a real niche. If you're grinding through the fundamentals, it's worth a bookmark.
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