Weighted Graphs
Weighted graphs are a type of graph data structure where edges have associated numerical values called weights, representing costs, distances, capacities, or other metrics. They extend basic graphs by adding this weight attribute to model real-world scenarios with quantifiable relationships, such as road networks with travel times or communication networks with bandwidth. This concept is fundamental in computer science for solving optimization problems like finding shortest paths or minimum spanning trees.
Developers should learn weighted graphs when working on applications involving network analysis, routing algorithms, or resource optimization, such as GPS navigation systems, logistics planning, or social network analysis with interaction strengths. They are essential for implementing algorithms like Dijkstra's, Bellman-Ford, or Prim's, which rely on edge weights to compute efficient solutions in fields like data science, game development, and telecommunications.