Algorithm for automatic layout of nodes and connections

Question

I plan to create a subsystem of one of my projects for the optimal construction of a set of interconnected nodes. Sites will represent websites and pages of a website, and links will be links between pages. The user will add the first page to the chart, and then add additional pages that link to the original page. Along the way, some pages will cross-link to other pages.

Where can I start searching for algorithms for automatically selecting "clean" paths for communication lines, for automatically choosing the best place to place new nodes as they are added and automatically layout the whole diagram?

Answer 1

Take a look at the work done by the authors of GraphViz . This website has links to some of the background readings you need to solve.