A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms

Wrapping Up

Having the ability to discern between best-, average-, and worst-case scenarios is a key skill in choosing the best algorithm for your needs, as well as taking existing algorithms and optimizing them further to make them significantly faster. Remember, while it’s good to be prepared for the worst case, average cases are what happen most of the time.

In the next chapter, we’re going to learn about a new data structure that is similar to the array, but has nuances that can allow it to be more performant in certain circumstances. Just as you now have the ability to choose between two competing algorithms for a given use case, you’ll also need the ability to choose between two competing data structures, as one may have better performance ...