Description: A bidirectional graph is a mathematical structure used in graph theory, where the edges (or connections) between nodes (or vertices) allow traversal in both directions. This means that if there is an edge connecting two nodes A and B, one can go from A to B and from B to A without restrictions. This characteristic distinguishes it from directed graphs, where edges have a specific direction. Bidirectional graphs are fundamental for modeling symmetric relationships, such as those found in social networks, where the connection between two users is mutual. Additionally, in a bidirectional graph, information can flow in both directions, which is crucial for search and optimization algorithms. The representation of a bidirectional graph can be done using adjacency lists or adjacency matrices, where each node has a list of adjacent nodes it is connected to. This structure allows for easy implementation of algorithms like Dijkstra’s or depth-first search (DFS), which are essential in computer science and network theory. In summary, bidirectional graphs are a powerful tool in graph theory, providing an effective way to represent and analyze complex relationships between interconnected entities.
