What are the key characteristics of a good algorithm?

Algorithm Design Questions



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What are the key characteristics of a good algorithm?

The key characteristics of a good algorithm are as follows:

1. Correctness: The algorithm should produce the correct output for all possible inputs.

2. Efficiency: The algorithm should be able to solve the problem in a reasonable amount of time and with minimal resource usage.

3. Scalability: The algorithm should be able to handle larger input sizes without a significant decrease in performance.

4. Clarity: The algorithm should be easy to understand and implement, with clear and concise steps.

5. Modularity: The algorithm should be designed in a modular way, allowing for easy modification and reuse of different components.

6. Robustness: The algorithm should be able to handle unexpected inputs or edge cases without crashing or producing incorrect results.

7. Optimality: The algorithm should strive to achieve the best possible solution for the given problem, whether it is the most efficient or the most accurate.

8. Maintainability: The algorithm should be easy to maintain and update as requirements or constraints change over time.

9. Generality: The algorithm should be applicable to a wide range of similar problems, rather than being specific to a single instance.

10. Adaptability: The algorithm should be able to adapt to different scenarios or variations of the problem, providing flexibility in its application.