[ALUG] Word of the Day: greedy algorithm

[Adili]

WhatIsWordOfTheDay   
Word of the Day  
Daily updates on the latest technology terms | April 8, 2014  
greedy algorithm 
A greedy algorithm is a mathematical process that looks for simple, easy-to-implement solutions to complex, multi-step problems by deciding which next step will provide the most obvious benefit. 
Such algorithms are called greedy because while the optimal solution to each smaller instance will provide an immediate output, the algorithm doesn't consider the larger problem as a whole. Once a decision has been made, it is never reconsidered. 
Greedy algorithms work by recursively constructing a set of objects from the smallest possible constituent parts. Recursion is an approach to problem solving in which the solution to a particular problem depends on solutions to smaller instances of the same problem. The advantage to using a greedy algorithm is that solutions to smaller instances of the problem can be straightforward and easy to understand. The disadvantage is that it is entirely possible that the most optimal short-term solutions may lead to the worst possible long-term outcome.
Greedy algorithms are often used in ad hoc mobile networking to efficiently route packets with the fewest number of hops and the shortest delay possible. They are also used in machine learning, business intelligence (BI), artificial intelligence (AI) and programming.
 
Quote of the Day 
 The idea of a greedy algorithm (for optimization) is that you do as best you can locally and you don't worry about the big picture. -- Patrick Burns
 
 
Quiz Yourself 
Which idea proposes that when trying to understand something, you should try to get unnecessary information out of the way?
a. Ockham's razor
b. KISS principle
Answer  Know-IT-All 
Related Terms 
recursion
stochastic optimization
machine learning
Nagles algorithm
bees algorithm
 
Related Tags
IT leadership  
  
Required Reading 
Looking at the next steps for SaaS adoption
Learn why mobility, integration and vertical applications constitute the next wave of SaaS adoption.
 
Is energy-efficient software the next step to reduce operating costs?
Energy-efficient software may be the next big step to reducing electricity consumption and operating costs in the data center. 
Business technology is the challenging next step in IT transformation
Will the next step be to replace the IT department with  a business technology department?  Stay In Touch 
FOLLOW US  
 CONTACT US
For feedback about any of our articles or to send us your article ideas, please contact us at: Editor at WhatIs.com   
About This E-Newsletter 
This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for.   

TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster at techtarget.com  

Copyright 2014 TechTarget. All rights reserved.  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.habari.co.tz/pipermail/linux/attachments/20140409/c4d7ad2c/attachment-0001.html>