Backtracking is an algorithmic technique for solving problems incrementally by trying partial solutions and abandoning them if they fail to satisfy the problem's constraints.

Backtracking is a systematic algorithmic technique for solving problems that involve making a series of choices and exploring all potential solutions incrementally. The core idea behind backtracking is to build a solution step by step, allowing the algorithm to explore various possibilities while keeping track of the constraints of the problem. If at any point a partial solution is found to be invalid or does not lead to a viable complete solution, the algorithm backtracks, or retracts its last choice, and tries a different path.

This method is particularly effective for constraint satisfaction problems, where the goal is to find a solution that meets a set of conditions. Common examples of problems that can be solved using backtracking include the N-queens problem, where the task is to place N queens on a chessboard such that no two queens threaten each other, and solving Sudoku puzzles.

The backtracking algorithm explores all possible configurations of the problem space, making it exhaustive in nature. While this can lead to longer execution times, backtracking is often optimized with techniques such as pruning, which eliminates certain paths early based on problem constraints, thereby reducing the search space. Understanding backtracking is crucial for solving combinatorial problems and developing algorithms that require exploring multiple solution paths.