Which traversal method is more memory efficient for deep graphs?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which traversal method is more memory efficient for deep graphs?
BFS
DFS
Both are equally efficient
Neither is efficient
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which traversal method is more memory efficient for deep graphs?
Step 1: Understand what a graph is. A graph is a collection of nodes (or vertices) connected by edges.
Step 2: Learn about traversal methods. There are two common methods to traverse a graph: Depth-First Search (DFS) and Breadth-First Search (BFS).
Step 3: Know what DFS does. DFS explores as far down a branch as possible before backtracking. It keeps track of the current path from the starting node to the current node.
Step 4: Know what BFS does. BFS explores all neighbors of a node before moving to the next level. It keeps track of all nodes at the current level.
Step 5: Compare memory usage. In deep graphs, DFS only needs to remember the nodes in the current path, which can be fewer than the total number of nodes. BFS, however, needs to remember all nodes at the current level, which can be a lot if the graph is wide.
Step 6: Conclude that DFS is more memory efficient for deep graphs because it uses less memory by only storing the current path.