Describe the process of backtracking and provide an example where it can be applied.
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Describe the process of backtracking and provide an example where it can be applied.
Aryan Kumar
07-Aug-2023Backtracking is an algorithmic technique for finding solutions to problems by exploring all possible candidates incrementally, and abandoning a candidate ("backtracking") as soon as it is determined that the candidate cannot possibly be completed to a valid solution.
The backtracking algorithm can be used to solve a variety of problems, including:
The backtracking algorithm works by first trying a single candidate solution. If this candidate solution is not valid, the algorithm backtracks and tries another candidate solution. This process continues until a valid solution is found, or until all possible candidate solutions have been tried.
Here is an example of how the backtracking algorithm can be used to solve the N-queens problem:
If the algorithm reaches the last row of the chessboard and has not found a valid solution, it means that no valid solution exists. In this case, the algorithm terminates.
The backtracking algorithm is a powerful technique for solving problems that have a large number of possible solutions. However, it can be inefficient for problems that have a large number of constraints. In these cases, other algorithms, such as branch and bound, may be more efficient.