Explain the difference between DFS and BFS. When would you use each?

🔢 Data Structures And Algorithm• 9/21/2025
Understanding Depth-First Search vs Breadth-First Search algorithms, their implementations, and use cases.

DFS vs BFS Comparison

Depth-First Search (DFS)

Approach: Explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking

Use Cases:

  • Finding paths in mazes
  • Topological sorting
  • Detecting cycles in graphs
  • Tree traversals (preorder, inorder, postorder)

Breadth-First Search (BFS)

Approach: Explores all neighbors at current depth before moving to next depth level

Use Cases:

  • Finding shortest path in unweighted graphs
  • Level-order tree traversal
  • Finding connected components
  • Web crawling
By: System Admin