Characteristic path length is the average shortest path length across the network, describing typical separation between nodes. In contrast, network diameter is the length of the longest shortest path, capturing the maximum separation between the two most distant nodes.
Conditions: The network is connected so that pairwise shortest-path distances are defined.; The average is taken over distinct node pairs.
Characteristic path length is the average shortest path length across the network, describing typical separation between nodes. In contrast, network diameter is the length of the longest shortest path, capturing the maximum separation between the two most distant nodes.
Conditions: The network is connected so that pairwise shortest-path distances are defined.; The average is taken over distinct node pairs.
Network diameter is defined as the length of the longest shortest path in the network. Equivalently, it measures the separation between the pair of nodes that are farthest apart when distance is taken along shortest paths.
Conditions: The network is connected enough that shortest-path distances between the compared node pairs are defined.; Distance is measured by shortest paths.
Network diameter is defined as the length of the longest shortest path in the network. Equivalently, it measures the separation between the pair of nodes that are farthest apart when distance is taken along shortest paths.
Conditions: The network is connected enough that shortest-path distances between the compared node pairs are defined.; Distance is measured by shortest paths.