Graph Algorithms the Fun Way

Jeremy Kubica

ISBN 10: 1718503865 / ISBN 13: 9781718503861

Published by No Starch Press,US, US, 2024

About this Item

This book provides a fun and accessible introduction to graph algorithms, commonly used to solve a wide range of computational and mathematical problems. Full of humorous analogies, detailed diagrams, and real-world examples using the Python programming language, Graph Algorithms the Fun Way will show you how graph data structures can model a vast variety of phenomena - from physical mazes to communication networks - while helping you develop a strong foundation for how they work, when to use them, and how to create variants. It starts with the structure of graphs, demonstrating the ways they can represent connections between nodes, such as the best route through a city or how rumours spread in a social network. Each subsequent chapter introduces new graph algorithms along with their underlying concepts and applications - from basic searches to more advanced methods of exploring graphs. You'll have a blast solving brain-teasers including the 15-square puzzle, matching adopted pets with homes, calculating the maximum flow of a sewage network, traversing magical labyrinths, sorting recipe steps to craft the perfect cookies, and more. You'll also learn how to: Work with weighted and directed graphs, Use heuristics to prioritize which paths in a graph to explore, Determine which components of a graph are key for its structural integrity, Generate random mazes. Guided by the bestselling author of Data Structures the Fun Way, this equally fun follow-up will help you build a strong understanding of a crucial coding topic and apply graph algorithms to your own projects.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781718503861

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Graph Algorithms the Fun Way
• Publisher: No Starch Press,US, US
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1718503865
• ISBN 13: 9781718503861
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Enter the wonderful world of graph algorithms, where you’ll learn when and how to apply these highly useful data structures to solve a wide range of fascinating (and fantastical) computational problems.

Graph Algorithms the Fun Way offers a refreshing approach to complex concepts by blending humor, imaginative examples, and practical Python implementations to reveal the power and versatility of graph based problem-solving in the real world. Through clear diagrams, engaging examples, and Python code, you’ll build a solid foundation for addressing graph problems in your own projects.

Explore a rich landscape of cleverly constructed scenarios where:

• Hedge mazes illuminate depth-first search
• Urban explorations demonstrate breadth-first search
• Intricate labyrinths reveal bridges and articulation points
• Strategic planning illustrates bipartite matching

From fundamental graph structures to advanced topics, you will:

• Implement powerful algorithms, including Dijkstra’s, A*, and Floyd-Warshall
• Tackle puzzles and optimize pathfinding with newfound confidence
• Uncover real-world applications in social networks  and transportation systems
• Develop robust intuition for when and why to apply specific graph techniques

Delve into topological sorting, minimum spanning trees, strongly connected components, and random walks. Confront challenges like graph coloring and the traveling salesperson problem.

Prepare to view the world through the lens of graphs—where connections reveal insights and algorithms unlock new possibilities.

About the Author

Jeremy Kubica is an engineering director working at the intersection of computer science and astrophysics. He holds a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in computer science from Cornell University. He is the author of The CS Detective, Data Structures the Fun Way (both from No Starch Press), and Computational Fairy Tales.