DDA (Digital Differential Analyzer) algorithm

The Digital Differential Analyzer (DDA) algorithm is a line drawing algorithm used in computer graphics to generate a digital approximation of a straight line between two points. It is a simple and efficient algorithm that uses floating-point arithmetic and is commonly used in real-time graphics applications.

The basic idea behind the DDA algorithm is to calculate the slope of the line between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), and increment the values of x and y by small amounts until the endpoint is reached. This process is repeated for each pixel along the line, and the corresponding pixel values are plotted on the screen.

The steps of the DDA algorithm can be summarized as follows:

1. Calculate the slope of the line using the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).

2. Determine the number of steps needed to traverse the line, which is typically the larger of the differences in x or y.

3. Increment the values of x and y by m in each step, and round them to the nearest integer.

4. Plot the corresponding pixel on the screen for each value of x and y.

The DDA algorithm is simple and easy to implement, and it can handle lines with any slope, including vertical and horizontal lines. However, it can suffer from accuracy problems when the slope of the line is very steep or nearly horizontal, leading to jagged or uneven lines.

Overall, the DDA algorithm is a useful tool for generating digital approximations of straight lines in computer graphics applications, but it may not be the best choice for applications that require high precision or accuracy.