7.4 Dijkstra's Algorithm
Dijkstra's algorithm is a commonly used algorithm in graph theory, named after its inventor Edsger Dijkstra. It works by finding the shortest path from a single source vertex to all other vertices within the same graph, especially when that graph includes weighted edges. This can be particularly useful in situations where a graph has a large number of vertices and edges, as it allows for a more efficient way of determining the shortest path between nodes.
While the Breadth-First Search (BFS) algorithm can also help find the shortest path in a graph, it is primarily useful for unweighted graphs. In contrast, Dijkstra's algorithm is specifically designed to handle graphs with weighted edges, where not all edges are created equal. This means that it takes into account the weight of each edge when determining the shortest path, ensuring that the path is truly the most efficient one.
In addition to its practical uses, Dijkstra's algorithm has...