Algorithm Design Questions Medium
Backtracking is a systematic approach used in algorithm design to solve problems by incrementally building a solution and exploring different possibilities. It is particularly useful when searching for a solution in a large search space, where it is impractical to examine every possible solution.
The concept of backtracking involves making a series of choices and then undoing those choices if they lead to a dead end. It follows a depth-first search strategy, where it explores a path as far as possible before backtracking and trying a different path.
The application of backtracking is commonly seen in solving problems such as finding all possible solutions, finding an optimal solution, or finding a specific solution that satisfies certain constraints. It is often used in combination with recursion to explore all possible combinations or permutations of a problem.
One example of backtracking is the N-Queens problem, where the task is to place N queens on an N×N chessboard in such a way that no two queens threaten each other. Backtracking can be used to systematically explore different positions for each queen, backtracking whenever a position is found to be invalid, and continuing until a valid solution is found or all possibilities have been exhausted.
In summary, backtracking is a powerful technique in algorithm design that allows for systematic exploration of a problem's solution space by making choices, backtracking when necessary, and continuing until a valid solution is found or all possibilities have been examined.