I Wrote a 680-Page Interactive Book on Data Structures and Algorithms
Hello HN! I’m Elias. I’ve been an educator in Engineering and Computer Science for some years, and I'm always looking for ways to make learning more engaging and hands-on. A few months ago, I started experimenting with the idea of a book that changes and evolves as you interact with it. It started with a chapter on sorting but that snowballed into a 22-chapter interactive book. My objective in writing this book, was to introduce a more interactive format for technical books that doesn't require internet access, that is lightweight, comprehensive, cross-platform, and can provide a better…
In plain words
Elias created a 680-page interactive book covering data structures and algorithms across 22 chapters. The book features over 300 interactive visualizations and editable code snippets that work offline and run on any platform. Designed for students and engineers learning computer science, it emphasizes hands-on engagement over traditional text-based learning, combining theoretical explanations with interactive elements to support active learning without requiring an internet connection.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hello HN! I’m Elias. I’ve been an educator in Engineering and Computer Science for some years, and I'm always looking for ways to make learning more engaging and hands-on. A few months ago, I started experimenting with the idea of a book that changes and evolves as you interact with it. It started with a chapter on sorting but that snowballed into a 22-chapter interactive book. My objective in writing this book, was to introduce a more interactive format for technical books that doesn't require internet access, that is lightweight, comprehensive, cross-platform, and can provide a better active learning experience. Some unique features of the book include: * 22 Chapters of condensed theoretical treatment spanning 680 pages, on simple and complex data structures and algorithms, paired with over 300 interactive visualizations. * Code snippets presented in the book can be interacted with, and feature a visual debugger that shows how variables change as the program runs. You can also play, pause, rewind, and step through each snippet. * There are a variety of solved problems under each topic accompanied by an embedded minimalist python IDE. You can solve problems directly in the book, view multiple solutions with each solution paired with interactive visualisations and code playback. The book is currently out and available here: https://cartesian.app Students can also DM me on Twitter (@ElijahYilma) to get an additional 35% discount. Past Discussion on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1liga56/i_wrot... I’d love any feedback or improvements you may have, and more importantly, which topics you would like to see covered in this format (CS and non-CS).
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