DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • GRAPHS

Find Weighted Shortest Paths with Dijkstra's Algorithm

Learn how to find weighted shortest paths with dijkstra's algorithm using a clear C program.

AdvancedDijkstraGreedyWeighted graph

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
0 8 9 5 7

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

dsa-dijkstra-shortest-path.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>
#include <limits.h>

int main(void)
{
    int graph[5][5] = {
        {0,10,0,5,0}, {0,0,1,2,0}, {0,0,0,0,4},
        {0,3,9,0,2}, {7,0,6,0,0}
    };
    int distance[5] = {0, INT_MAX, INT_MAX, INT_MAX, INT_MAX};
    int used[5] = {0};
    for (int step = 0; step < 5; step++) {
        int vertex = -1;
        for (int candidate = 0; candidate < 5; candidate++)
            if (!used[candidate] && (vertex < 0 || distance[candidate] < distance[vertex])) vertex = candidate;
        used[vertex] = 1;
        for (int neighbour = 0; neighbour < 5; neighbour++)
            if (graph[vertex][neighbour] && distance[vertex] != INT_MAX &&
                distance[vertex] + graph[vertex][neighbour] < distance[neighbour])
                distance[neighbour] = distance[vertex] + graph[vertex][neighbour];
    }
    for (int vertex = 0; vertex < 5; vertex++) printf("%d ", distance[vertex]);
    putchar('\n');
    return 0;
}

GUIDED CODE TOUR • NOT LIVE EXECUTION

Study the program line by line

Use the real compiler button above to run and debug with different inputs.

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

0 8 9 5 7
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Finalize the nearest unused vertex and relax all of its outgoing non-negative edges.
  3. Display the computed result.

Finalize the nearest unused vertex and relax all of its outgoing non-negative edges.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(V²)

Auxiliary space

O(V)

DEBUGGING CHECKLIST

Common mistakes

Check this

Use the correct format specifier for every variable.

Check this

Initialize variables before using their values.

Check this

Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.

Try it yourself

Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.