find-shortest-path

When to Use

• Finding shortest/optimal path between two points
• Maze solving
• Game AI movement
• Route planning and navigation
• Graph traversal (BFS, DFS, A*)
• State-space search problems
• Puzzle solving (15-puzzle, Rubik's cube)

When NOT to Use

• Simple iteration over all nodes (just use a loop)
• When there's no clear goal state
• Infinite graphs without good heuristics

The Pattern