Topological Sorting in Graphs | Complete C++ Implementation

Описание: Ever wondered how computers figure out the correct order of tasks when some things have to happen before others? This video breaks down topological sorting, a powerful algorithm that ensures all dependencies are respected—perfect for project planning, software builds, and more.

You'll learn:

What a topological sort is and why it matters

The key condition: your tasks must form a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)

How Con’s algorithm (Kahn’s algorithm) works step by step

Why cycle detection is crucial and how the algorithm handles it

Real-world analogies: morning routines, course prerequisites, project pipelines

Alternative methods like Depth-First Search (DFS)

By the end, you’ll know how to untangle complex dependencies in any system and see why topological sorting is essential in software engineering.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction: hidden rules in everyday life and software
0:18 – The concept of dependencies: order matters
0:45 – Prerequisites and real-world analogies
1:07 – Defining topological sort: creating a valid task order
1:50 – Critical condition: must be a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)
2:28 – How Con’s (Kahn’s) algorithm works: using indegree and a queue
3:32 – Depth-First Search alternative
3:44 – Cycle detection and why it’s important
4:14 – Why Kahn’s algorithm is industry standard
4:20 – Tips and common pitfalls: directed graph, check for cycles, multiple valid orders
4:49 – Key takeaway: bring order to systems with dependencies

Key Takeaways

Topological sort helps organize tasks with strict dependencies

Tasks must form a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)—no loops allowed

Kahn’s algorithm uses indegrees and a queue for intuitive sorting

Cycle detection is automatically handled by Kahn’s algorithm

Multiple valid orders can exist as long as dependencies are respected

Applications: software build systems, project management, AI pipelines, cooking recipes, and more

Hashtags

#TopologicalSort #DataStructures #Algorithms #CSFundamentals #KahnsAlgorithm #ProjectManagement #ComputerScience #CodingTips