Undirected Graph
An undirected graph is a fundamental data structure in computer science and mathematics that consists of a set of vertices (nodes) connected by edges, where the edges have no direction, meaning the connection between two vertices is bidirectional. It is used to model symmetric relationships, such as friendships in social networks or connections in transportation systems. This contrasts with directed graphs, where edges have a specific direction from one vertex to another.
Developers should learn about undirected graphs when working on problems involving network analysis, pathfinding algorithms (like Dijkstra's or BFS/DFS), or applications in social networks, recommendation systems, and geographic mapping. They are essential for understanding graph theory concepts, which underpin many algorithms in data structures, machine learning (e.g., graph neural networks), and optimization problems, making them crucial for roles in software engineering, data science, and AI.