Maximum Flow Simulator and Visualizer
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This paper presents a novel interactive visualization system for maximum flow algorithms, designed to improve conceptual understanding through automated, step-by-step simulation. Unlike existing tools, the proposed solution integrates the Boykov–Kolmogorov algorithm alongside the classical Ford–Fulkerson and Edmonds–Karp methods into a unified software solution. The main contribution is a fully automated visualization approach that reveals internal algorithm states, including residual graph updates and augmenting path selection, without requiring prior user expertise. In addition, the paper introduces a flexible graph representation, a custom visualization architecture capable of handling dynamic structural changes during execution, and an efficient compressed storage format for graph data. Evaluation results indicate that the system improves interpretability compared to existing solutions, particularly by enabling direct comparison of algorithmic behavior. The inclusion of the Boykov–Kolmogorov algorithm further extends the scope of educational visualization, offering insights into methods not commonly supported by similar tools.
Authors: László Szoboszlai, Štefan Gubo, Sándor Szénási
Institutions: J. Selye University, Obuda University
Language: English
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204177402