Everything About ___
Live briefing

Everything about Backtracking

Algorithmic paradigm for constraint satisfaction or enumeration problems

Backtracking is a class of algorithms for finding solutions to some computational problems, notably constraint satisfaction or enumeration problems, that incrementally builds candidates to the solutions, and abandons a candidate ("backtracks") as soon as it determines that the candidate cannot possibly be completed to a valid solution. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: BacktrackingA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Priority inheritance with backtracking for iterative multi-agent path findingInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Use of macros in backtrack programmingThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm for numerical optimization problemsCited 581 times
  5. Go sideways: Brute-force searchA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Sudoku solving algorithmsA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun The act of one who, or that which, backtracks; a retracing of one's steps.

Noun The usage of a runway as a taxiway, especially at private strips and smaller airports.

Noun The act of building all possible solutions to a problem incrementally, abandoning any candidate solution if it cannot lead to a valid solution.

Verb present participle and gerund of backtrack

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Description of the method
  2. Examples

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics