Parent Node

A Parent Node is a graph node in a directed graph that has one or more outgoing edges leading to child nodes.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be identified by the presence of Directed Edges that originate from it and point to other nodes within the graph.
  • It can (often) play a key role in representing hierarchical structures within various types of data structures and algorithms.
  • It can range from being a Root Node with no incoming edges, to being an Intermediate Node in a more complex structure.
  • It can represent an abstract concept or a real-world entity depending on the application domain of the graph.
  • It can facilitate operations such as traversal, search, and pathfinding within graphs.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • an Intermediate Node in a Decision Tree, which serves as a parent to nodes representing more specific decisions or categories.
  • a Root Node in a Binary Search Tree, where it is the topmost node and parent to all other nodes in the tree.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Child Node, which receives incoming edges from a parent node but does not have outgoing edges to that same node.
  • Leaf Node, which does not have any children and thus does not act as a parent.
  • ...
• See: Decision Tree Parent Node, Root Node, Intermediate Node.

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References

1999

• (Zaiane, 1999) ⇒ Osmar Zaiane. (1999). "Glossary of Data Mining Terms." University of Alberta, Computing Science CMPUT-690: Principles of Knowledge Discovery in Databases.
  • QUOTE: Parent: The member (or concept) that is one level up in a concept hierarchy from another member. The parent value is usually a consolidation of all of its children's values.

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