Cited by 12,738Complexity and Algorithms in GraphsAI-based Problem Solving and PlanningGraph Theory and Algorithms

A Formal Basis for the Heuristic Determination of Minimum Cost Paths

Hart, Peter, Nilsson, Nils, Raphael, Bertram·1968·IEEE Transactions on Systems Science and Cybernetics

Abstract

Although the problem of determining the minimum cost path through a graph arises naturally in a number of interesting applications, there has been no underlying theory to guide the development of efficient search procedures. Moreover, there is no adequate conceptual framework within which the various ad hoc search strategies proposed to date can be compared. This paper describes how heuristic information from the problem domain can be incorporated into a formal mathematical theory of graph searching and demonstrates an optimality property of a class of search strategies.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1109/tssc.1968.300136

Cites

5 of 5 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • A* was selected over Monte Carlo Tree Search for building ERCs because its behavior is more consistent and reproducible.

    “Finally, we chose to use A* (Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968) as part of the approach to creating ERCs over other popular algorithms like Monte Carlo Tree Search (Chaslot et al. 2006) due to its more consistent and reproducible behavior.”

    From Expressive Response Curves: Testing Expressive Game Feel with A* (2023) · cites this paper as Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968

  • A* visits graph nodes breadth-first and uses a priority queue keyed on cost and heuristic values to steer the search toward a goal.

    “A* uses a breadth-first approach to visiting graph nodes and a priority queue based on cost and heuristic values to guide the search towards a specific goal (Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968).”

    From Expressive Response Curves: Testing Expressive Game Feel with A* (2023) · cites this paper as Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968

  • A* need not visit every node in a graph, and without an admissible heuristic it need not find an optimal path.

    “Unlike breadth-first search, A* is not guaranteed to visit every node in a graph, nor is it guaranteed to find an optimal path without an admissible heuristic, a heuristic function which never over-estimates the distance to the goal (Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968).”

    From Expressive Response Curves: Testing Expressive Game Feel with A* (2023) · cites this paper as Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael 1968

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Authors
Hart, P., Nilsson, N., & Raphael, B.
Affiliations
SRI International (US)
Venue
IEEE Transactions on Systems Science and Cybernetics
Published
1968
Volume
4
Issue
2
Pages
100-107
ISSN
0536-1567 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1969483458
Cited by
12,738
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 965 · 2025: 1216 · 2024: 1078 · 2023: 893 · 2022: 855 · 2021: 939 · 2020: 707 · 2019: 610 · 2018: 584 · 2017: 493 · 2016: 471 · 2015: 456 · 2014: 437 · 2013: 466 · 2012: 364
FWCI
7.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
IEEE Transactions on Systems Science and Cybernetics (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Complexity and Algorithms in Graphs
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › AI-based Problem Solving and Planning
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Graph Theory and Algorithms
Keywords
least-cost path, shortest path, graph search, heuristic search, search strategies, optimality, heuristic information

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