traversal

Moving through systematically

Traversal is the act of moving through or across something systematically.

In computing, it refers to visiting each element in a data structure exactly once, usually in a specific order: a depth-first traversal of the tree, the algorithm performs a traversal of the graph.

Outside technical contexts, traversal simply means crossing or passing through: the traversal of difficult terrain.

computation

algorithm

Finite problem-solving procedure

iterationRepeated procedural pass
recursionProcess invoking itself
graphVisual data display

tree · node · depth-first · breadth-first · binary · pointer · index · array · loop · stack

journey

route

Path from A to B

pathRoute for traveling
passageSegment of text
legAmbulatory limb

segment · waypoint · milestone · checkpoint · itinerary · course · trail · track · circuit · loop

crossing

bridge

Structure spanning an obstacle

fordWalkable river crossing
ferryVessel for scheduled crossings
tunnelEnclosed underground route

overpass · underpass · viaduct · causeway · footbridge · gangplank · passage · span · transit · portage

pathfinding

heuristic

Practical solving shortcut

mazePuzzle of passages
labyrinthIntricate passage network
DFSGraph traversal going deepest first

solver · waypoint · connectivity · network · backtracking

exploration

expedition

Organized exploratory journey

surveySystematic data collection
reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
mappingDiagram of correspondences

charting · scouting · fieldwork · coverage · sweep · patrol · canvassing · inspection · monitoring · sector

traversal

algorithm

route

bridge

heuristic

expedition

traversal

Opposites

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