Using the color image quantization problem as a course-long project in CS2

  • Authors:
  • Rance D. Necaise

  • Affiliations:
  • College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 49th Annual Southeast Regional Conference
  • Year:
  • 2011

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Abstract

A typical CS2 course introduces the concepts of ADTs and data structures along with an introduction to algorithm analysis. A main objective of the course is the expectation that students will gain an appreciation of the impact the choice of data structure has on the implementation of an algorithm. Real-world applications can help students gain this appreciation as they tend to motivate students more than generic applications. This paper presents the application of color digital image quantization and describes its use as a course-long project in CS2. This application offers many opportunities for applying the various algorithms and data structures presented in the course. It also offers students an excellent example in which to perform empirical analysis where different data structures are compared for use in a single problem. Sample assignments are also presented to illustrate the many uses of the quantization problem in CS2.