Dijkstra's Algorithm

For when the graph of doom is upon you

When the world is crumbling around you and your boss asks for directions, you can rely on Dijkstra's Algorithm to find the shortest path. It's like a GPS, but without the existential dread of being lost in life.

How it works:

• Select an arbitrary node as the starting point (usually the coffee machine, because priorities)
• Calculate the shortest distance to every other node (while ignoring the crippling anxiety of not being able to afford the rent)
• Remove the node with the shortest distance from the graph, because who needs friends, anyway?

And voilà! You have the shortest path to your doom.

Use Cases:

• When the apocalypse arrives and the roads are filled with hordes of the undead
• When your boss demands you attend yet another pointless meeting
• When you're trying to find the most efficient way to get to the fridge without bumping into coworkers

Related Algorithms:

• Prim's Algorithm, for when you want to find the minimum spanning tree, but only if you have a million dollars and a dream
• Kruskal's Algorithm, for when you want to find the minimum spanning tree, but only if you have a Ph.D. in Computer Science

Subpages:

• Graph Traversal: The art of navigating through the treacherous landscape of meetings and conference rooms
• Graph Search: The thrill of the hunt for the perfect meeting spot, without actually having to get there

Back to Graph Algorithms Back to Meetings and Attendees