Design and Analysis of
Algorithms: An
Introduction
Welcome to this introductory session on the fascinating world
of Design and Analysis of Algorithms.
Introduction
What is an Algorithm?
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or a set of well-defined
instructions designed to solve a specific problem or perform a task.
• Think of it like a detailed recipe for cooking.
• In computing, it could be sorting a list of numbers or finding the shortest
path between two points.
Introduction
Algorithm Specification
Defined Inputs Expected Outputs Precise Steps
Clearly state what the Specify what the algorithm A sequence of unambiguous
algorithm expects as input, will produce as output, and instructions describing how to
including data types and the relationship between input transform the input into the
constraints. and output. output.
Example: A Merge Sort specification includes an input array and a guarantee of a sorted array as output.
Clarity in specification ensures correctness and ease of analysis.
Fundamentals
Proving Algorithm Correctness: Why and How?
Ensuring an algorithm consistently produces the right output for all valid inputs is paramount.
Methods
Proof by Induction: Ideal for recursive algorithms.
Loop Invariants: Used for iterative algorithms.
Counterexamples: To disprove the correctness of an incorrect algorithm.
Efficiency Analysis
Introduction to Asymptotic Notations
These are mathematical tools used to describe an algorithm's efficiency (time and space complexity) as the
input size grows towards infinity. They focus on growth trends, ignoring specific machine constants.
Big-O (O) Big-Omega (Ω)
Upper bound; worst-case scenario. Lower bound; best-case scenario.
Big-Theta (Θ) Little-o (o)
Tight bound; average-case scenario. Strict upper bound; grows strictly slower.
Asymptotic Notations
Big-O Notation (O): The Worst Case
Big-O describes the maximum time or space an algorithm will take in the worst-case scenario. It provides an upper limit on the growth rate.
Asymptotic Notations
Beyond Big-O: Ω, Θ, and o
Big-Omega (Ω) Big-Theta (Θ) Little-o (o)
Lower Bound: Describes the Tight Bound: When Big-O and Strict Upper Bound: Denotes
best-case performance, Big-Omega match, indicating the that one function grows strictly
providing a minimum growth algorithm's exact asymptotic slower than another. Example:
rate. Example: Searching a behaviour. Example: Merge Sort n is o(n²) because n grows
sorted list with binary search has has a Θ(n log n) runtime. strictly slower than n².
an Ω(1) best-case if the element
is found immediately.
Performance Analysis
Time Complexity of Iterative Algorithms
1 Analyzing Loops 2 Nested Loops 3 Loop Invariants
The number of times a loop Multiply the number of Help reason about
executes directly iterations for each nested correctness and define the
contributes to complexity. loop. E.g., two nested loops state that holds true before
iterating n times give n². and after each iteration.
Examples: Finding the maximum element in an array is O(n). Bubble Sort is O(n²) due to its nested loop structure.
Performance Analysis
Time Complexity of Recursive Algorithms
For recursive algorithms, runtime is typically described by recurrence
relations. These equations relate the runtime of a problem of size n to the
runtime of smaller subproblems.
This recurrence for Merge Sort indicates two recursive calls on half-size
problems plus Θ(n) for merging. Solving this yields Θ(n log n) using methods
like the recursion tree or Master Theorem.
Summary & Key Takeaways
Mastering these concepts empowers you to design and implement efficient, reliable software solutions.
