In probability theory and its applications, a factor graph is a particular type of graphical model, with applications in Bayesian inference, that enables efficient computation of marginal distributions through the sum-product algorithm. One of the important success stories of factor graphs and the sum-product algorithm is the decoding of capacity-approaching error-correcting codes, such as LDPC and turbo codes.
A factor graph is an example of a hypergraph, in that an arrow (i.e., a factor node) can connect more than one (normal) node.
When there are no free variables, the factor graph of a function f is equivalent to the constraint graph of f, which is an instance to a constraint satisfaction problem.
Read more about Factor Graph: Definition, Examples, Message Passing On Factor Graphs
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