Learning Graph Algorithms

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+4 Q:

Learning Graph Algorithms

Hi SO,

In algorithms, I've mostly been self-taught and that's largely been fine. However, I'm having trouble grasping graph algorithns. I'm looking for some kind of reference that has concepts and actual code so I can not only learn the theory (which I usually do ok with) but also get a feel for how graphs are represented and manipulated in practice (what I usually have a harder time grasping). Can SO deliver? Anything from books, to links, to existing projects would be great as long as they have both concept and implementation.

This is language agnostic, but I'm most familiar with python and don't have much experience with FP.

+1 A:

Steve Yegge says this is a terrific book on algorithms that uses graphs extensively.

duffymo 2010-10-27 01:33:09

Amazon wish-listed.

jlv 2010-10-27 01:37:05

+1 A:

I learned a lot about graphs from the book linked below... it's one of my favorite books: http://books.google.com/books?id=5l5ps2JkyT0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=a+course+in+combinatorics&source=bl&ots=wSYYY6KPuI&sig=mZLrdj0xo2mTxW4MxYt4tW_E-10&hl=en&ei=PoHHTOaROIHGlQegn8ibAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Matt Caldwell 2010-10-27 01:33:29

The following site also has some really cool animations which might help you understand graph algorithms: http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~skiena/combinatorica/animations/

Matt Caldwell 2010-10-27 01:35:23

I've never even looked into combinatorics so my interest is very much peaked. however, it doesn't seem to contain any code correct?

jlv 2010-10-27 01:38:41

@Matt Caldwell: nice link

Mitch Wheat 2010-10-27 01:40:02

jlv: That's correct, there's no code in this book. However, it's a great book for learning the mathematics behind graph structures, which can then be applied to algorithms. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but it's just such a great book; I couldn't *not* mention it. :)

Matt Caldwell 2010-10-28 03:15:22

Mitch: Thanks! Glad it was helpful.

Matt Caldwell 2010-10-28 03:15:41

+1 A:

Both of these are very good:

The Algorithm Design Manual
Algorithms in C++ Part 5: Graph Algorithms (Don't worry about the C++ bit, has pseudocode as well)

Free Stuff:

Chapter 5. Graphs and graph algorithms

Mitch Wheat 2010-10-27 01:35:44

TADM was just mentioned (thanks again, though!) but I'll be checking out the second one for sure.

jlv 2010-10-27 01:37:47

I have one book too. :) Take a look , maybe it help you -`> "Advances in Evolutionary Algorithms". This is the link where you can find it and download for free: http://www.intechopen.com/books/show/title/advances_in_evolutionary_algorithms
Aim of the book is to present recent improvements, innovative ideas and concepts in a part of a huge EA field.

Hanibal Lecter 2010-10-27 08:38:55

Thanks kindly! I've already looked into GA's (which I believe are just another term for evolutionary algorithms) but I didn't see anything about graphs in there. This should be useful.

jlv 2010-10-27 13:24:36

ansaurus

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