pathlike

Pathlike is an adjective used to describe objects or structures that resemble a path in a functional or geometric sense. In general, pathlike items exhibit a linear, trail-like sequence from a start point to an end point, with little or no branching.

In mathematics, a path is a continuous map from an interval to a space. Pathlike spaces or subspaces often behave like one-dimensional curves: they are connected in a way that emphasizes a single direction from an initial point to a terminal point. In topology, a pathlike object may be locally similar to an interval, and in geometry, simple curves without self-intersections are typical examples of pathlike shapes.

In graph theory, a path is a sequence of vertices linked by edges with no repeated vertices. A subgraph described as pathlike is one that forms a simple path, having exactly two endpoints (or one if it is degenerate). Such structures appear when modeling linear processes or sequential dependencies within a larger network.

In computer science and data structures, pathlike structures include singly linked lists and other sequences that are traversed in a single forward direction. Operations often focus on head-to-tail traversal, insertions or deletions at ends, and maintaining a linear order of elements.

Because pathlike is not a fixed technical term across all disciplines, its precise meaning depends on context. The common thread is a linear, chain-like character with a start and end, and typically minimal branching or branching that remains strictly along the path. Examples include a line segment, a simple curve, a Hamiltonian path in a graph, and a singly linked list.