When you need the shortest path in an unweighted graph
When memory usage is a concern
BFS is preferred for finding the shortest path in unweighted graphs because it explores all neighbors at the present depth before moving deeper.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: In which scenario would you prefer BFS over DFS?
Solution: BFS is preferred for finding the shortest path in unweighted graphs because it explores all neighbors at the present depth before moving deeper.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what BFS (Breadth-First Search) and DFS (Depth-First Search) are. BFS explores all neighbors at the current level before going deeper, while DFS goes as deep as possible down one path before backtracking.
Step 2: Identify the type of graph you are working with. If the graph is unweighted (meaning all edges have the same weight or cost), BFS is a good choice.
Step 3: Consider the goal of your search. If you need to find the shortest path from one node to another in an unweighted graph, BFS is preferred because it guarantees the shortest path.
Step 4: Remember that BFS uses a queue to keep track of nodes to explore, while DFS uses a stack (or recursion). This difference affects how they explore the graph.
Step 5: Conclude that in scenarios where finding the shortest path in unweighted graphs is important, you should choose BFS over DFS.
