A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms

Chapter 2Why Algorithms Matter

In the previous chapter, we took a look at our first data structures and saw how choosing the right data structure can significantly affect the performance of our code. Even two data structures that seem so similar, such as the array and the set, can make or break a program if they encounter a heavy load.

In this chapter, we’re going to discover that even if we decide on a particular data structure, there is another major factor that can affect the efficiency of our code: the proper selection of which algorithm to use.

Although the word algorithm sounds like something complex, it really isn’t. An algorithm is simply a particular process for solving a problem. For example, the process for preparing a bowl of cereal ...