Heap Data Tool

The Heap Data Tool simulates binary heap structures to measure operation costs and compare performance across min-heap and max-heap configurations. It accepts a sequence of heap operations (insert, extract, decrease-key, increase-key, and heapify/build-heap) and reports micro-operations such as comparisons and element moves. Intended users are software engineers, algorithm researchers, and instructors who analyze data-structure behavior or prepare interview problems. The tool emphasizes domain-relevant metrics rather than language-specific performance, enabling apples-to-apples comparisons between heap variants and operation patterns, including worst-case sequences like repeatedly inserting then extracting elements.
Conceptual workflow: The tool uses a binary heap stored in an array; percolate up handles insert and key decrease, percolate down handles extract and heapify. It tracks counts of comparisons and swaps, updates the heap size, and checks invariant properties after each operation. Output includes totals, peak size, average per-operation cost, and a compact fingerprint of the final heap state. For educational uses, you can craft sequences to illustrate lazy vs eager bubbling, or demonstrate how different sequences affect the number of swaps.
Differentiators: It supports both min-heap and max-heap, offers deterministic, parameterized costs, and can export results for further analysis. Unlike generic calculators, it ties operation costs directly to heap semantics and shows invariants after each step. Suitable for interview prep, performance tuning, and classroom demonstrations, it provides concrete, repeatable data without relying on real runtime environments.