Rank attribute is confusing to me

Rank attribute on edge has five values "same", "min", "source", "max", "sink". Except "same", I have no idea when to use other values.

min
\begin{dotpic}
  rankdir=LR;
  size="7,5";
  node[shape=circle];
  C->A;
  {rank=min;A;B}
  B->D
  A->B;
\end{dotpic}

max
\begin{dotpic}
  rankdir=LR;
  size="7,5";
  node[shape=circle];
  C->A;
  {rank=max;A;B}
  B->D
  A->B;
\end{dotpic}

source
\begin{dotpic}
  rankdir=LR;
  size="7,5";
  node[shape=circle];
  C->A;
  {rank=source;A;B}
  B->D
  A->B;
\end{dotpic}

sink
\begin{dotpic}
  rankdir=LR;
  size="7,5";
  node[shape=circle];
  C->A;
  {rank=sink;A;B}
  B->D
  A->B;
\end{dotpic}

With test on my vim environment, I can realize there is some difference btw these values. But don't know exactly what they are for.