4 ms·

Ask YC: Data structure or Algorithm selection for a problem?

4 points by yearsinrock 19y ago

data structure or algorithm which one is more important in solving a problem and how selection of both is important in solving a problem

cperciva 19y ago
To quote Hofstadter: Mu. Particular algorithms operate on particular data structures; a binary search on a sorted list makes sense, while a binary search on an unsorted list is meaningless. It doesn't make any sense to have one of "a good algorithm" or "a good data structure" without the other.
- yearsinrock 19y ago
  I think this reply perfectly answers my question.
aristus 19y ago
Mooooo..... :) I usually visualize the data structure that exists, or that I want, and work "backwards" from there. But whichever direction you use, always always remember that the idea is to make the design simpler and more clear.
- boucher 19y ago
  Well, no, not always, always. Use the data structure that makes the design more efficient. Clarity might be nice, but an O(n) solution is not acceptable when a reasonable O(log n) or O(1) solution exists.
flashgordon 19y ago
I didnt think that choice was orthogonal?
bayareaguy 19y ago
I suggest you read "Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs" by Niklaus Wirth. http://tinyurl.com/yw7tgo http://tinyurl.com/yw7tgo
z0ltanz0ltan 19y ago
At all the above maniacs ... I think what yearsinrock meant was "Data Structure and Algorithm" selection for a specific problem...
- cperciva 19y ago
  That was my first thought based on the thread title, but it doesn't quite fit with the text "data structure or algorithm which one is more important in solving a problem" which follows.
boucher 19y ago
Good introductory text: Cormen/Leiserson/Rivest/Stein: Introduction to Algorithms (2nd edition) http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Thomas-H-Cormen/dp/0262032937/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198139015&sr=1-2 http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Thomas-H-Corme... Good advanced text: Jon Kleinberg/Eva Tardos: Algorithm Design http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321295358/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198138989&sr=8-2 http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321...

4 points by yearsinrock 19y ago

data structure or algorithm which one is more important in solving a problem and how selection of both is important in solving a problem

cperciva 19y ago

To quote Hofstadter: Mu. Particular algorithms operate on particular data structures; a binary search on a sorted list makes sense, while a binary search on an unsorted list is meaningless. It doesn't make any sense to have one of "a good algorithm" or "a good data structure" without the other.

yearsinrock 19y ago
I think this reply perfectly answers my question.

aristus 19y ago

Mooooo..... :) I usually visualize the data structure that exists, or that I want, and work "backwards" from there. But whichever direction you use, always always remember that the idea is to make the design simpler and more clear.

boucher 19y ago
Well, no, not always, always. Use the data structure that makes the design more efficient. Clarity might be nice, but an O(n) solution is not acceptable when a reasonable O(log n) or O(1) solution exists.

flashgordon 19y ago

I didnt think that choice was orthogonal?

bayareaguy 19y ago

I suggest you read "Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs" by Niklaus Wirth. http://tinyurl.com/yw7tgo http://tinyurl.com/yw7tgo

z0ltanz0ltan 19y ago

At all the above maniacs ... I think what yearsinrock meant was "Data Structure and Algorithm" selection for a specific problem...

cperciva 19y ago
That was my first thought based on the thread title, but it doesn't quite fit with the text "data structure or algorithm which one is more important in solving a problem" which follows.

boucher 19y ago

Good introductory text: Cormen/Leiserson/Rivest/Stein: Introduction to Algorithms (2nd edition) http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Thomas-H-Cormen/dp/0262032937/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198139015&sr=1-2 http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Thomas-H-Corme... Good advanced text: Jon Kleinberg/Eva Tardos: Algorithm Design http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321295358/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198138989&sr=8-2 http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321...