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Computer Science Introduction to Algorithms Time Complexity Constant and Logarithmic Time

1 Answer

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,423 Points

Computational Complexity is the length, in time, an algorithm takes relative to the size of data the algorithm operates upon. Algorithms are classified by their complexity. Examples are:

  • O(1) – constant time. Algorithm time is independent of the data set size
  • O(log n) – “log n time”. Algorithm time grows much slower than the data set size. Binary search is an example.
  • O(n) – linear time. Algorithm time grows proportionally the same the data set size grows. Example is inserting into a list since, in worst case, every data item must be compared to inserted value
  • O(n log n) – “n log n time”. Algorithm time grows slightly faster than linear time. Example is merge sort.

Other examples of complexity can be found on Stack Overflow.

Post back if you need more help. Good luck!!!