kanwei/algorithms

Ruby algorithms and data structures. C extensions

Ruby

2,695

239 commits

updated Feb 28, 2026

See the code

README

algorithms Ruby CI

API Documentation

DESCRIPTION:

Started as a Google Summer of Code 2008 project

Written by Kanwei Li, mentored by Austin Ziegler

Original Proposal:

Using the right data structure or algorithm for the situation is an important aspect of programming. In computer science literature, many data structures and algorithms have been researched and extensively documented. However, there is still no standard library in Ruby implementing useful structures and algorithms like Red/Black Trees, tries, different sorting algorithms, etc. This project will create such a library with documentation on when to use a particular structure/algorithm. It will also come with a benchmark suite to compare performance in different situations.

COMPLETED:

* Heaps              Containers::Heap, Containers::MaxHeap, Containers::MinHeap
* Priority Queue     Containers::PriorityQueue
* Deque              Containers::Deque, Containers::CDeque (C ext)
* Stack              Containers::Stack
* Queue              Containers::Queue
* Red-Black Trees    Containers::RBTreeMap, Containers::CRBTreeMap (C ext)
* Splay Trees        Containers::SplayTreeMap, Containers::CSplayTreeMap (C ext)
* Tries              Containers::Trie
* Suffix Array       Containers::SuffixArray

* Search algorithms
  - Binary Search            Algorithms::Search.binary_search
  - Knuth-Morris-Pratt       Algorithms::Search.kmp_search
* Sorting algorithms           
  - Bubble sort              Algorithms::Sort.bubble_sort
  - Comb sort                Algorithms::Sort.comb_sort
  - Selection sort           Algorithms::Sort.selection_sort
  - Heapsort                 Algorithms::Sort.heapsort
  - Insertion sort           Algorithms::Sort.insertion_sort
  - Shell sort               Algorithms::Sort.shell_sort
  - Quicksort                Algorithms::Sort.quicksort
  - Mergesort                Algorithms::Sort.mergesort
  - Dual-Pivot Quicksort     Algorithms::Sort.dualpivotquicksort

SYNOPSIS:

require 'rubygems'
require 'algorithms'

max_heap = Containers::MaxHeap.new

# To not have to type "Containers::" before each class, use:
include Containers
max_heap = MaxHeap.new

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ruby 1.8, Ruby 1.9, JRuby
  • C extensions (optional, but very much recommended for vast performance benefits)

LICENSE:

See LICENSE.md.

kanwei/algorithms

Ruby algorithms and data structures. C extensions

Ruby

2,695

239 commits

updated Feb 28, 2026

See the code

README

algorithms Ruby CI

API Documentation

DESCRIPTION:

Started as a Google Summer of Code 2008 project

Written by Kanwei Li, mentored by Austin Ziegler

Original Proposal:

Using the right data structure or algorithm for the situation is an important aspect of programming. In computer science literature, many data structures and algorithms have been researched and extensively documented. However, there is still no standard library in Ruby implementing useful structures and algorithms like Red/Black Trees, tries, different sorting algorithms, etc. This project will create such a library with documentation on when to use a particular structure/algorithm. It will also come with a benchmark suite to compare performance in different situations.

COMPLETED:

* Heaps              Containers::Heap, Containers::MaxHeap, Containers::MinHeap
* Priority Queue     Containers::PriorityQueue
* Deque              Containers::Deque, Containers::CDeque (C ext)
* Stack              Containers::Stack
* Queue              Containers::Queue
* Red-Black Trees    Containers::RBTreeMap, Containers::CRBTreeMap (C ext)
* Splay Trees        Containers::SplayTreeMap, Containers::CSplayTreeMap (C ext)
* Tries              Containers::Trie
* Suffix Array       Containers::SuffixArray

* Search algorithms
  - Binary Search            Algorithms::Search.binary_search
  - Knuth-Morris-Pratt       Algorithms::Search.kmp_search
* Sorting algorithms           
  - Bubble sort              Algorithms::Sort.bubble_sort
  - Comb sort                Algorithms::Sort.comb_sort
  - Selection sort           Algorithms::Sort.selection_sort
  - Heapsort                 Algorithms::Sort.heapsort
  - Insertion sort           Algorithms::Sort.insertion_sort
  - Shell sort               Algorithms::Sort.shell_sort
  - Quicksort                Algorithms::Sort.quicksort
  - Mergesort                Algorithms::Sort.mergesort
  - Dual-Pivot Quicksort     Algorithms::Sort.dualpivotquicksort

SYNOPSIS:

require 'rubygems'
require 'algorithms'

max_heap = Containers::MaxHeap.new

# To not have to type "Containers::" before each class, use:
include Containers
max_heap = MaxHeap.new

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ruby 1.8, Ruby 1.9, JRuby
  • C extensions (optional, but very much recommended for vast performance benefits)

LICENSE:

See LICENSE.md.

Significant stargazers

Benson Muite

129 followers · starred Sep 2023

Tobias Schelhas

311 followers · starred May 2013

Michael Fellinger

292 followers · starred Jul 2008

Étienne Barrié

143 followers · starred Jul 2008