Traversal algorithms are essential in computer science, especially in data structures and algorithms design. This tutorial will guide you through the most common traversal algorithms used in LeetCode problems.
Depth-First Search (DFS)
DFS is a recursive algorithm that explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking. It is often used in tree or graph traversal.
- Pre-order traversal: Visit the root, then traverse the left subtree, and finally traverse the right subtree.
- In-order traversal: Traverse the left subtree, visit the root, and then traverse the right subtree.
- Post-order traversal: Traverse the left subtree, traverse the right subtree, and then visit the root.
Breadth-First Search (BFS)
BFS is an iterative algorithm that explores the neighbor nodes at the present depth prior to moving on to nodes at the next depth level. It is often used in finding the shortest path in an unweighted graph.
- Level-order traversal: Visit all the nodes at the current level before moving on to the next level.
Binary Search
Binary search is a search algorithm that divides the sorted array into halves repeatedly until the target value is found or the size of the interval becomes zero.
- Assumes the array is sorted: This is a prerequisite for binary search to work correctly.
Practice on LeetCode
If you want to practice these traversal algorithms, you can visit LeetCode and search for related problems. Here are some popular problems to get started:
By practicing these problems, you will gain a better understanding of traversal algorithms and improve your coding skills. Happy coding! 🌟