depth-first

Plunge before spreading

Depth-first describes a search or traversal strategy that explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking.

In computing, a depth-first search moves down through a tree or graph structure, fully exploring one path before trying alternatives.

The approach contrasts with breadth-first, which examines all options at each level before going deeper: The algorithm uses depth-first traversal to find the exit.

algorithm

search

Act of seeking

stack · graph · tree · exploration · DFS · pathfinding · maze · node · branch · leaf

strategy

thorough

Complete in every detail

immersive · intensive · sequential · methodical · systematic · prioritization · single-track · commitment · persistence · specialization

Opposites
search/traversal strategy

depth-firstbreadth-first

Traversal by horizontal layers

breadth-first search · layer-by-layer · Dijkstra's algorithm

exploration priority

depth-firstbreadth-first

Traversal by horizontal layers

surface-level · shallow

Family

depth, first, deep, deepen, deeply, deepness, depths, deeper, deepest

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G