Relation of time and space complexities of an algorithm, Data Structure & Algorithms

Assignment Help:

What is complexity of an algorithm? What is the basic relation between the time and space complexities of an algorithm? Justify your answer by giving an example.                         

Complexity of an algorithm is the measure of analysis of the algorithm. Analyzing an Algorithm means predicting the resources that the algorithm needs such as memory, communication bandwidth, time and logic gates. Most often it is computational or calculation time that is measured for finding a more suitable algorithm. This is called as time complexity of the algorithm.  The running time of a program is described or defined as a function of the size of its  input. On a specific input, it is traditionally measured as the number of primitive operations or steps executed.

The analysis of algorithm focuses on time complexity and space complexity both. As compared to time analysis, the analysis of space requirement for an algorithm is generally easier and faster, but wherever necessary, both the techniques can be used. The space is referred to as storage needed in addition to the space required storing the input data.  The amount of memory needed by the program to run to completion is referred to as space complexity. For an algorithm, time complexity depends only upon the size of the input, thus, it is a function of input size 'n'. So the amount of time required by an algorithm to run to its completion is referred as time complexity.

The best algorithm to solve a given problem is the one that requires less memory and takes less time to complete its execution of the algorithm. But in practice it is not always likely to achieve both of these objectives. There may be number of approaches to solve a same problem. One such approach may require more space but takes less time to complete its execution while on other hand the other approach requires less space but

more time to complete its execution. Thus we may have to compromise one thing to improve the other. That is, we may be able to reduce space requirement by increasing running time or we can reduce running time by allocating more memory space. This situation where we compromise one to improve the other is known as Time-space trade off.

 


Related Discussions:- Relation of time and space complexities of an algorithm

Bubble sort, In this sorting algorithm, multiple swapping occurs in one pas...

In this sorting algorithm, multiple swapping occurs in one pass. Smaller elements move or 'bubble' up to the top of the list, so the name given to the algorithm. In this method,

Threads in main method, Create main method or a test class that creates 2 E...

Create main method or a test class that creates 2 Element objects that are neighbours of each other, the first element temperature set at 100, the 2nd at 0 and use an appropriate h

Multikey file organization, what are the applications of multikey file orga...

what are the applications of multikey file organization?

Sparse matrix, memory address of any element of lower left triangular spars...

memory address of any element of lower left triangular sparse matrix

Terminology used for files structures, Given are the definitions of some im...

Given are the definitions of some important terms: 1) Field: This is an elementary data item characterized by its size, length and type. For instance, Name

The various ways in which lc code can be accessed, Problem Your LC code...

Problem Your LC code is stored in a memory location as shown and the variable name is LC                  LC Memory address       Content(LC code)

Algorithm to merge two sorted arrays with third array, Q. Write down an alg...

Q. Write down an algorithm to merge the two sorted arrays into the third array. Do  not perform the sort function in the third array.                           Ans: void m

If-then-else statements, In this example, suppose the statements are simple...

In this example, suppose the statements are simple unless illustrious otherwise. if-then-else statements if (cond) { sequence of statements 1 } else { sequence of st

Insertion sort, Data array A has data series from 1,000,000 to 1 with step ...

Data array A has data series from 1,000,000 to 1 with step size 1, which is in perfect decreasing order. Data array B has data series from 1 to 1,000,000, which is in random order.

Example of single node with multiple elements, The class Element represents...

The class Element represents a single node that can be part of multiple elements on a hotplate and runs in its own thread. The constructor accepts the initial temperature and a hea

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd