Time and Space
Complexity in
Algorithms
Understanding algorithm complexity is essential for efficient
software design. It impacts performance and resource usage.
These are key metrics for comparing algorithms.
by Abhay Singh
Understanding Time Complexity
Definition Key Aspects
Quantifies operations an algorithm performs. It • Independent of hardware or language.
measures how execution time grows with input size • Focuses on worst, average, or best-case scenarios.
(N).
Understanding Space
Complexity
Definition
Quantifies memory an algorithm uses. It measures how
memory usage grows with input size (N).
Components
Includes input space (sometimes excluded) and auxiliary
space. This is critical for limited environments.
Introduction to Big-O Notation
Standardized Measure Focus on Scalability
Describes asymptotic behavior. It provides an Ignores constants and lower-order terms. It
upper bound on function growth rate. emphasizes performance for large inputs.
Common Big-O Notations & Visual Comparisons
Example 1: Linear Search
C++ Linear Search Time Complexity: O(N)
It iterates up to N elements in the worst case. Each
int linearSearch(int arr[], int n, int x) {
check is constant time. This is efficient for small
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) { if
datasets.
(arr[i] == x) return i; } return - Space Complexity: O(1)
1;}
Uses constant extra space. This includes the loop
counter and comparison variables.
Common Big-O Notations & Visual Comparisons
O(1) - Constant Time
Execution time is constant, regardless of input size. E.g., accessing an array
element by index.
O(log N) - Logarithmic Time
Time grows proportionally to the logarithm of the input size. E.g., Binary Search.
O(N) - Linear Time
Time grows linearly with the input size. E.g., Linear Search, iterating through a list.
O(N log N) - Linearithmic Time
Time grows proportionally to N multiplied by the logarithm of N. E.g., efficient
sorting algorithms like Merge Sort.
O(N²) - Quadratic Time
Input O(1) O(log N) O(N) O(N log O(N²)
Size (N) N) Time grows proportionally to the square of the input size. E.g., nested loops,
Bubble Sort.
O(2ᴺ) - Exponential Time
Time doubles with each additional input element. Generally impractical for large
inputs. E.g., solving the Traveling Salesperson Problem using brute force.
Big-O, Omega, and Theta Notations
Understanding the different asymptotic notations is crucial for a complete analysis of algorithm performance.
Big-O Notation (O) Omega Notation (Ω) Theta Notation (Θ)
Represents the **upper Represents the **lower Represents the **tight bound**
bound** of an algorithm's bound** of an algorithm's (both upper and lower) of an
running time. It describes the running time. It describes the algorithm's running time. It
worst-case scenario or the best-case scenario or the describes the average-case
longest time an algorithm will minimum time an algorithm will scenario, where the algorithm's
take to complete as the input take to complete as the input performance is bounded both
size grows. size grows. above and below by the same
• Denotes the maximum • Denotes the minimum time
factor.
time an algorithm might an algorithm is guaranteed
• take. to take. • Denotes the exact running
Often used to ensure an
algorithm won't exceed a • Useful for establishing a time complexity.
certain performance. baseline performance. • Used when the worst-case
• Example: Linear search is • Example: Linear search is and best-case complexities
O(N) because in the worst Ω(1) because in the best are the same order of
case, it checks every case, the first element is • magnitude.
Example: Merge Sort is
element. the target. Θ(N log N) because its
performance is
consistently N log N
regardless of input order.
