Which search strategy explores nodes in a systematic, layer-by-layer manner?Options Depth-First Search (DFS) A* search Hill ClimbingBreadth-First Search (BFS)

Breakdown the Problem

We need to identify which of the given search strategies explores nodes in a systematic, layer-by-layer manner. The options provided are:

1. Depth-First Search (DFS)
2. A* Search
3. Hill Climbing
4. Breadth-First Search (BFS)

Relevant Concepts

• Depth-First Search (DFS): This strategy explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking. It does not explore in layers.
• A Search*: This is a pathfinding and graph traversal algorithm that uses heuristics to determine the most promising path but is not strictly layer-by-layer.
• Hill Climbing: This is an optimization algorithm that focuses on local improvements and does not involve systematic exploration in layers.
• Breadth-First Search (BFS): This method explores all nodes at the present "depth" level before moving on to nodes at the next depth level, making it a layer-by-layer search strategy.

Analysis and Detail

Among the options provided, only BFS systematically explores nodes level by level. Each "layer" of nodes corresponds to nodes that are one edge away from the previous layer. For every node that is processed, all its neighbors are added to the queue and explored before advancing deeper, ensuring that all nodes at the current distance are exhausted before moving on to the next.

Verify and Summarize

Considering the exploration methodologies:

1. DFS does not follow the layer-by-layer approach; it dives deep into the graph first.
2. A Search* and Hill Climbing also do not adhere to this systematic exploration method.
3. BFS is indeed the only strategy that clearly operates layer by layer.

Final Answer

The search strategy that explores nodes in a systematic, layer-by-layer manner is Breadth-First Search (BFS).