Evaluating the Influence of Graph Density on the Efficiency of Shortest Path Algorithms Using Different Data Structures

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of two variants of a classical algorithm for finding the shortest path in a connected graph. The first variant uses an adjacency matrix (AM) to verify the existence of an edge (arc) between two vertices, while the second variant performs the same verification using an adjacency list (AL). The objective of this study is to examine how graph density affects the performance of the two algorithmic modifications depending on the data structure used. A total of 95 graphs were analyzed, grouped into five sets from 100 to 500 in increments of 100. For each group, 19 graphs were generated with densities ranging from 5% to 95% in increments of 5%. The methodology includes analyzing the number of iterations, assignments, and comparisons executed by the algorithms for all graphs. The initial hypothesis assumed that the total number of operations would always be lower when using an AL instead of an adjacency matrix, regardless of graph density. The results demonstrate that this assumption is incorrect: for densities above 82%, the total number of operations is lower when using an adjacency matrix, whereas the AL is more efficient for densities below 82%, with its efficiency increasing as density decreases. These findings are particularly important for mobile technologies, as they support the design of more efficient pathfinding solutions that optimize performance and energy consumption in mobile applications.