How does the A* algorithm work in pathfinding?

Can you explain how the A* algorithm works in pathfinding?

Sure! The A* algorithm is a popular pathfinding and graph traversal algorithm. It finds the shortest path from a start node to a goal node by using a cost function that combines the actual distance from the start node and an estimated distance to the goal.

What are the key components of the A* algorithm?

The key components are the open set (nodes to be evaluated), the closed set (nodes already evaluated), the cost from the start node, and the heuristic estimate to the goal.

Can you give me an example of how it works?

Absolutely! Imagine a grid where you want to move from point A to point B. A* evaluates neighboring nodes, calculating costs, and chooses the most promising path until it reaches B.

What makes A* better than other algorithms?

A* is efficient because it uses heuristics to prioritize paths that are likely to lead to the goal, making it faster than algorithms like Dijkstra's in many scenarios.