> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ksmcclay.gitbook.io/no-code-computer-science/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ksmcclay.gitbook.io/no-code-computer-science/data-structures/graph-network.md).

# Network (Graph)

## What is a Network (Graph) :fireworks: 

A **Network** is a collection of connected nodes. nodes = elements

![Courtesy of NASA taken from ISS](/files/-MLyjXnx0ADlolyW1KNA)

## Earth :earth\_americas: :earth\_africa: :earth\_asia: 

Viewing earth from the international space station, there is clusters of light in a sea of darkness. These pockets of light are highly connected **Networks** of people and things people make.   

## Social Network :globe\_with\_meridians: 

A **Social Network** is groups of people connected together. 

![Each line is equal to a friendship](/files/-MMC96K9GVhtpkP_w_-a)

Kyle's Facebook Friend Profile: :globe\_with\_meridians:

* Family Network:
  * :heart:Wife, Kids, parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, inlaws:heart:
* Friends Network:
  * childhood friends:baby\_bottle:, work friends:woman\_construction\_worker:, hobbie friends:basketball::video\_game:
* Dank Meme & Programming Network: :100: 
  * :stuck\_out\_tongue\_winking\_eye:weirdos:zany\_face:more weirdos:lying\_face: 

I'm personally connected to all these people above in a **Network**. All of the people im connected to are also connected to their own people. and all of those people are... etc, etc, etc... 

## I Need a Map, A Map of the Internet! :brain:

**Networks** are used to represent more complicated relationships and normally used when other data structures simply will not work. 

![Partial map of the Internet from opte.org](/files/-MLz92PPBxK7qe78RXYp)

## Types of Networks :wind\_blowing\_face: :cloud\_tornado: 

**Directed Networks**: Connections between nodes flow in a specific direction 

* Water always flows in one direction from a higher point to a lower point 
  * :park: Water Tower -> Homes -> Sewer :park: 
* Twitters following/follower system
  * I follow the @PresidentOfTheUnitedStates :person\_walking: 
  * The President Of The United States does **Not** follow me :no\_entry\_sign: 

**Undirected Networks**: Connections between nodes flow in both directions

* Facebooks friend system
  * I send a friend request to uncle Jim Bob and he accepts :men\_with\_bunny\_ears\_partying: 

## Linked List vs Tree vs Network:apple: :evergreen\_tree: :earth\_americas: 

**Linked List** and **Trees** can be represented as simple **Networks**. The following example explains the differences between the 3 as different types of networks.

**Example:**

* 7 Nodes = A, B, C, D, E, F, G :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: :eight\_pointed\_black\_star: 

**Linked Lists:** a simple directed network where each node flows to the next node. :point\_right:

* ```
  (start) A -> B -> C -> D -> E -> F -> G -> END
  ```

**Trees:** are a directed network where the starting node flows down to multiple nodes :point\_left::point\_right: 

* ```
             (start)
                A 
                '
        -------------------
       '                   '
       B                   C
       '                   '
   -----------         -----------
  '           '       '           '
  D           E       F           G
  ```

**Networks:** can be used to diagram highly connected systems:point\_left::point\_right::point\_up\_2::point\_down::call\_me:

* ```
  - = 2-way connection
  ' = 2-way connection
  x = 4-way connection
  No starting point 
  No ending point
  ```
* ```
  A  -  B  -  C
  '  x  '  x  '
  D  -  E  -  F
  '  x  '  x  '
  ----- G -----
  ```

The key takeaway is all systems have the same number of **Nodes** but a different number of **Connections.** The **Connections** are what make the data structure a linked list, tree or network**.**


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