Dijkstra's algorithm is a true champion for finding the shortest paths in graphs with non-negative edge weights. It efficiently explores the graph, always prioritizing the closest unvisited node. However, like any powerful tool, it has its limitations. When these limitations are encountered, we need to look for more advanced or specialized algorithms.
The primary constraint of Dijkstra's algorithm lies in its assumption of non-negative edge weights. Imagine a scenario where traveling from city A to city B actually saves you time or resources. This might sound counterintuitive in many real-world shortest path problems, but it's common in certain graph applications like dynamic programming or when dealing with potential functions.
If a graph contains negative edge weights, Dijkstra's algorithm can produce incorrect results. This is because the core logic of Dijkstra is to greedily expand from the closest node. A negative edge weight can create a situation where a path that initially seems longer might, after traversing a negative edge, become shorter than a previously discovered path. Dijkstra's greedy approach doesn't account for this possibility and can permanently 'lock in' suboptimal paths.
graph TD;
A -- 5 --> B;
B -- -10 --> C;
A -- 8 --> C;
Dijkstra_Incorrect(Dijkstra might fail);
A --> Dijkstra_Incorrect;
Consider the diagram above. If Dijkstra finds the path A -> C with weight 8 first, it might mark C as visited with a distance of 8. However, the path A -> B -> C has a total weight of 5 + (-10) = -5. Dijkstra, having already finalized the distance to C, wouldn't revisit it to find this shorter negative path.
Another scenario where Dijkstra might not be the optimal choice is when dealing with graphs that have a very large number of nodes and edges, especially if those edges are densely connected. While Dijkstra's complexity is generally good (often O(E + V log V) with a priority queue), for extremely large or dense graphs, other algorithms might offer better practical performance or simpler implementation for specific problem types.
For graphs with negative edge weights but no negative cycles (a cycle where the sum of edge weights is negative), the Bellman-Ford algorithm is the go-to solution. Bellman-Ford works by repeatedly relaxing all edges in the graph. This iterative process ensures that all shortest paths are eventually found, even with negative weights. If a negative cycle is detected, Bellman-Ford can also report it.