Pathfinding
Learning and science
algorithm visualization
SHOW HN2022
How HN took it
0 positive, 2 neutral or asking, 1 mixed, 9 critical, out of 12 comments about the project. Thread score -0.40.
Execution: 0 for, 6 againstPerformance: 0 for, 1 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 againstDocs: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Interesting and fun to watch the visualization.
From 2 comments
Makes me wonder why anyone would use anything but A* or greedy algorithm. Fun to play with and watch!
BatFastard on HNThis is great! Very juicy visualization. One bit of feedback though: some of the algorithms take a while to complete, and it doesn't seem like I can "stop" or "reset" while it's…
phailhaus on HN
Objections
A* and Dijkstra appear to produce suboptimal paths, possibly a bug.
From 3 comments
I think there's a "bug" (a bad heuristic?) in the A* code, since it produces easy suboptimal "solutions". https://emil.fi/m/astarsuboptimal.png
emilfihlman on HNAlso seems to produce suboptimal solutions with Dijkstra's algorithm, which shouldn't be the case, right? https://emil.fi/m/dijkstrasuboptimal.png
emilfihlman on HNHere's one a friend generated on his machine with Dijkstra. https://emil.fi/m/dijkstrasuboptimalfriend.png Seems like there's a bug or more.
emilfihlman on HN
Prim's algorithm uses huge memory and crashes the page.
From 1 comment
Interesting to watch but some explanations on the website might be useful. Choosing "Prim's Algorithm" uses up 20GB in a few seconds before it gets killed.
mxmlnkn on HN
Algorithms cannot be stopped or reset while running.
From 1 comment
This is great! Very juicy visualization. One bit of feedback though: some of the algorithms take a while to complete, and it doesn't seem like I can "stop" or "reset" while it's…
phailhaus on HN
Wall and path colors are confusing or low contrast.
From 2 comments
very cool! tiny nit: solid grey blocks are paths and gradient tiles are walls, but my expectation is reversed
mef on HNI wish the gradient walls were replaced by solid color tiles instead. Currently the top part of the grid seems lacking in contrast between paths and walls.
omoikane on HN
Requests
Add instructions or explanations on the site.
From 2 comments
Needs instructions
tonetheman on HNInteresting to watch but some explanations on the website might be useful. Choosing "Prim's Algorithm" uses up 20GB in a few seconds before it gets killed.
mxmlnkn on HN
Add stop and reset controls.
From 1 comment
This is great! Very juicy visualization. One bit of feedback though: some of the algorithms take a while to complete, and it doesn't seem like I can "stop" or "reset" while it's…
phailhaus on HN
Swap wall and path visual styles or use solid colors for walls.
From 2 comments
very cool! tiny nit: solid grey blocks are paths and gradient tiles are walls, but my expectation is reversed
mef on HNI wish the gradient walls were replaced by solid color tiles instead. Currently the top part of the grid seems lacking in contrast between paths and walls.
omoikane on HN
Alternatives named
GraphHopper road-network A* and bidirectional Dijkstra visualizations.
From 1 comment
I did a similar visualization but for road network paths: uni-directional A* https://karussell.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/astar.gif (New version:…
karussell on HN
Factorio's explanation of why basic A* was insufficient.
From 1 comment
Factorio had a blog post a while ago explaining why basic A* didn't work for them. On my phone right now so I can't find it easily but I'm pretty sure it was posted in HN. Edit:…
littlestymaar on HN