What are the differences between DFS and BFS in maze solving?

What are the differences between DFS and BFS in maze solving?

DFS (Depth-First Search) explores as far down a branch as possible before backtracking, while BFS (Breadth-First Search) explores all neighbors at the present depth prior to moving on to nodes at the next depth level.

Can you give me an example of how each algorithm works in a maze?

Sure! In DFS, you might start at the entrance and go deep into one path until you hit a dead end, then backtrack. In BFS, you would explore all paths one step away from the entrance before going deeper.

Which algorithm is more efficient for solving mazes?

It depends on the maze structure. DFS can be more memory efficient but may take longer in some cases, while BFS guarantees the shortest path but uses more memory.

Are there specific scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, DFS is often preferred for puzzles with many solutions or when memory is limited, while BFS is better for finding the shortest path in unweighted graphs.