CS03: use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem
Keyword | Definition |
---|---|
algorithm | step by step instructions to solve a problem |
best case | the minimum number of steps an algorithm might need to finish (e.g. if a list has already been sorted) |
data | values stored in a computer (e.g. numbers, text, pictures or files) |
logical reasoning | comparing results from different algorithms to decide which is best suited to solve a particular problem with a particular set of data |
pre-processing | work done on data in order to get it ready before it's suitable to be used with an algorithm (e.g. sorting before searching) |
speed | how many steps an algorithm needs to take before it finishes |
worst case | the maximum number of steps an algorithm might need to finish (e.g. if a list doesn't contain the value the algorithm is searching for) |