Graphs
What is a Graph?
A graph is a non-linear data structure that represents relationships between objects. It's defined by a set of nodes (vertices) and edges that connect those nodes. Graphs are useful for modeling complex relationships, such as social networks, road networks, or dependencies between tasks. They provide a powerful way to represent and analyze interconnected data.
- Nodes (Vertices): Individual elements in the graph.
- Edges: Connections between nodes. Edges can be directed (one-way) or undirected (two-way).
- Types of Graphs:
- Directed Graph: Edges have a specific direction.
- Undirected Graph: Edges don't have a specific direction.
- Weighted Graph: Edges have associated weights (e.g., distance, cost).
Representing Graphs
There are several ways to represent graphs in computer science.
- Adjacency Matrix: A 2D array that represents the connections between vertices.
- Adjacency List: A list of vertices connected to a given vertex.