Depth First Search
Depth First Search (DFS) is a fundamental graph traversal algorithm that explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking. It uses a stack data structure (either explicitly or via recursion) to keep track of visited nodes and the path being explored. DFS is widely used for solving problems involving connectivity, cycle detection, topological sorting, and pathfinding in graphs and trees.
Developers should learn DFS when working with graph-based data structures, such as in social networks, file systems, or dependency resolution, as it efficiently handles deep exploration and backtracking. It is particularly useful for algorithms like maze solving, finding strongly connected components, and implementing backtracking in puzzles (e.g., Sudoku or N-Queens).