Algorithmic efficiency

Algorithmic efficiency is a property of an algorithm which relates to the amount of computational resources used by the algorithm. An algorithm must be analyzed to determine its resource usage, and the efficiency of an algorithm can be measured based on usage of different resources. Algorithmic efficiency can be thought of as analogous to engineering productivity for a repeating or continuous process.

Types of efficiencies

There are two major types of efficiencies that computer scientists typically look at:

• Time complexity: This is the computational complexity that describes the amount of time an algorithm takes in terms of the amount of input to the algorithm.
• Space complexity: This is the computational complexity that describes the amount of memory an algorithm takes in terms of the amount of input to the algorithm.

Factors affecting efficiency

The efficiency of an algorithm depends on the following factors:

• Problem size: The size of the problem that the algorithm is solving. Larger problems typically require more resources.
• Input data: The nature and condition of the input data. Certain data conditions can cause an algorithm to perform poorly.
• Computing power: The power of the computing system on which the algorithm is running. More powerful systems can execute algorithms faster.

Measuring efficiency

Efficiency is often measured in terms of Big O notation, which describes the upper bound of the time complexity in the worst case scenario. Other notations such as Omega notation and Theta notation are also used to describe the lower bound and the tight bound of the time complexity respectively.

Importance of algorithmic efficiency

Algorithmic efficiency is crucial in the field of computer science and software engineering because it can have a significant impact on the resources required to run software and the speed at which programs can be executed. Efficient algorithms can help in processing large amounts of data quickly and in using resources optimally.

See also

• Computational complexity theory
• Analysis of algorithms
• Best, worst and average case
• Amortized analysis