PracHub
QuestionsLearningGuidesInterview Prep
|Home/Coding & Algorithms/Meta

Find shortest path and compare BFS vs DFS

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates understanding of graph traversal and shortest-path concepts, specifically the differences between BFS and DFS, algorithmic complexity analysis, and adaptation for weighted graphs within the coding & algorithms domain.

  • medium
  • Meta
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Find shortest path and compare BFS vs DFS

Company: Meta

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Given an unweighted graph (directed or undirected), explain how to find the shortest path between two nodes without writing code. Describe the algorithm step by step, analyze time and space complexity, and justify why it works. Compare this approach using BFS with a DFS-based approach: when would each be appropriate, and what are the trade-offs in correctness, complexity, and memory? Briefly discuss how your approach changes for weighted graphs.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates understanding of graph traversal and shortest-path concepts, specifically the differences between BFS and DFS, algorithmic complexity analysis, and adaptation for weighted graphs within the coding & algorithms domain.

Related Interview Questions

  • Choose the Cheapest Round Trip - Meta (medium)
  • Palindrome After Deleting at Most One Character - Meta (medium)
  • Validate Sorted Order Under a Custom Alphabet - Meta (medium)
  • Find Shortest Unique Prefixes - Meta (medium)
  • Compute Exclusive Execution Times - Meta (medium)
|Home/Coding & Algorithms/Meta

Find shortest path and compare BFS vs DFS

Meta logo
Meta
Sep 6, 2025, 12:00 AM
mediumSoftware EngineerOnsiteCoding & Algorithms
5
0

Given an unweighted graph (directed or undirected), explain how to find the shortest path between two nodes without writing code. Describe the algorithm step by step, analyze time and space complexity, and justify why it works. Compare this approach using BFS with a DFS-based approach: when would each be appropriate, and what are the trade-offs in correctness, complexity, and memory? Briefly discuss how your approach changes for weighted graphs.

Submit Your Answer to Earn 20XP

Sign in to leave a comment

Loading comments...

Browse More Questions

More Coding & Algorithms•More Meta•More Software Engineer•Meta Software Engineer•Meta Coding & Algorithms•Software Engineer Coding & Algorithms
PracHub

Master your tech interviews with 9,000+ real questions from top companies.

Product

  • Questions
  • Learning Tracks
  • Interview Guides
  • Resources
  • Premium
  • For Universities

Browse

  • By Company
  • By Role
  • By Category
  • Topic Hubs
  • SQL Questions
  • AI Coding Questions
  • Compare Platforms
  • Discord Community

Support

  • support@prachub.com
  • (916) 541-4762

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • About Us

© 2026 PracHub. All rights reserved.