Introduction to Graphs
Explore the fundamentals of graphs as a key non-linear data structure. Understand vertices and edges, graph terminology such as adjacency and cycles, and see how graphs model complex relationships in real systems using JavaScript examples.
A graph is a non-linear data structure made up of two main components:
Vertices (nodes)
Edges
A vertex represents an object, person, place, or thing, while an edge represents a connection or relationship between two vertices.
Unlike linear data structures such as arrays or linked lists, graphs are designed to represent complex relationships where elements can be connected in many different ways.
Why graphs matter
Graphs are extremely useful because many real-world systems can be modeled as networks of connected entities.
For example:
In a social network, ...