Graph Traversal
Graph traversal is a fundamental algorithmic concept in computer science that involves systematically visiting all vertices and edges in a graph data structure. It is used to explore, search, or process graph-based data, such as in social networks, web crawling, or pathfinding applications. Common traversal methods include depth-first search (DFS) and breadth-first search (BFS), each with specific characteristics and use cases.
Developers should learn graph traversal when working with problems involving relationships, networks, or hierarchical structures, such as finding shortest paths in maps, analyzing dependencies in software, or traversing DOM trees in web development. It is essential for algorithms in data science, AI (e.g., game trees), and systems like databases or compilers that rely on graph representations.