
Nodes and links
Nodes and links are fundamental concepts used to represent connected systems. A node is an individual point, such as a person, computer, or location. Links are the connections or relationships between these points, like friendships, data exchanges, or roads. Think of a social network: each person is a node, and the friendships are the links connecting them. Together, nodes and links help visualize complex systems and how individual elements interact, making it easier to analyze patterns, flow, and structure within networks ranging from technology to social sciences.