Graph
A graph is a non-linear data structure that consists of vertices (or nodes) and edges. It consists of a finite set of vertices and set of edges that connect a pair of nodes. The graph is used to solve the most challenging and complex programming problems. It has different terminologies which are Path, Degree, Adjacent vertices, Connected components, etc.
Characteristics of Graph:
The graph has various different characteristics which are as follows:
- The maximum distance from a vertex to all the other vertices is considered the Eccentricity of that vertex.
- The vertex having minimum Eccentricity is considered the central point of the graph.
- The minimum value of Eccentricity from all vertices is considered the radius of a connected graph.
Applications of Graph:
Different applications of Graphs are as follows:
- The graph is used to represent the flow of computation.
- It is used in modeling graphs.
- The operating system uses Resource Allocation Graph.
- Also used in the World Wide Web where the web pages represent the nodes.
Operation performed on Graph:
A graph is a non-linear data structure consisting of nodes and edges. Here are some common operations performed on graphs:
- Add Vertex: New vertices can be added to the graph to represent a new node.
- Add Edge: Edges can be added between vertices to represent a relationship between nodes.
- Remove Vertex: Vertices can be removed from the graph by updating the references of adjacent vertices to remove the reference to the current vertex.
- Remove Edge: Edges can be removed by updating the references of the adjacent vertices to remove the reference to the current edge.
- Depth-First Search (DFS): A graph can be traversed using a depth-first search by visiting the vertices in a depth-first manner.
- Breadth-First Search (BFS): A graph can be traversed using a breadth-first search by visiting the vertices in a breadth-first manner.
- Shortest Path: The shortest path between two vertices can be determined using algorithms such as Dijkstra’s algorithm or A* algorithm.
- Connected Components: The connected components of a graph can be determined by finding sets of vertices that are connected to each other but not to any other vertices in the graph.
- Cycle Detection: Cycles in a graph can be detected by checking for back edges during a depth-first search.
These are some of the most common operations performed on graphs. The specific operations and algorithms used may vary based on the requirements of the problem and the programming language used. Graphs are commonly used in applications such as computer networks, social networks, and routing problems.
Real-Life Applications of Graph:
- One of the most common real-world examples of a graph is Google Maps where cities are located as vertices and paths connecting those vertices are located as edges of the graph.
- A social network is also one real-world example of a graph where every person on the network is a node, and all of their friendships on the network are the edges of the graph.
- A graph is also used to study molecules in physics and chemistry.
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Advantages of data structure:
- Improved data organization and storage efficiency.
- Faster data retrieval and manipulation.
- Facilitates the design of algorithms for solving complex problems.
- Eases the task of updating and maintaining the data.
- Provides a better understanding of the relationships between data elements.
Disadvantage of Data Structure:
- Increased computational and memory overhead.
- Difficulty in designing and implementing complex data structures.
- Limited scalability and flexibility.
- Complexity in debugging and testing.
- Difficulty in modifying existing data structures.
Reference:
Data structures can be found in various computer science textbooks and online resources. Some popular texts include:
- “Introduction to Algorithms” by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein.
- “Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in Java” by Mark Allen Weiss.
- “The Algorithm Design Manual” by Steven S. Skiena.
- Online resources such as Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy also offer courses on data structures and algorithms.