Dijkstra Algorithm Questions Medium
The role of a path representation in the Dijkstra Algorithm is to keep track of the shortest path from the source node to each of the other nodes in the graph. It is used to store the sequence of nodes that make up the shortest path from the source node to a specific destination node.
During the execution of the Dijkstra Algorithm, the path representation is updated and refined as the algorithm explores the graph. Initially, all nodes except the source node are assigned a tentative distance value, which represents the current shortest distance from the source node. As the algorithm progresses, the tentative distance values are updated based on the edges and weights of the graph.
The path representation is crucial in determining the shortest path because it allows the algorithm to keep track of the nodes that have been visited and the nodes that are yet to be explored. By maintaining the path representation, the algorithm can determine the shortest path by backtracking from the destination node to the source node, following the sequence of nodes stored in the path representation.
In summary, the path representation in the Dijkstra Algorithm plays a vital role in storing and updating the shortest path from the source node to each destination node. It allows the algorithm to keep track of the nodes visited and unvisited, enabling the determination of the shortest path by backtracking through the sequence of nodes stored in the path representation.