Explain breadth-first search (BFS) and depth-first search (DFS) algorithms.

Breadth-First Search (BFS) and Depth-First Search (DFS) are fundamental graph traversal algorithms used to explore nodes and edges in a graph. They serve as building blocks for many graph-based algorithms and are crucial for solving problems involving graphs and trees.

Comparison

• BFS:

  • Explores nodes level by level.
  • Guarantees the shortest path in unweighted graphs.
  • Uses a queue and has a wider spread.

• DFS:

  • Explores nodes as deeply as possible before backtracking.
  • May not find the shortest path in unweighted graphs.
  • Uses a stack (or recursion) and has a deeper exploration pattern.