Computer science vocab

Exponential algorithms

algorithms that take 2^n steps to complete

Optimization problem

Tries to find the best possible solution

Parallel algorithms

problems are broken into small pieces some of which are run simultaneously

Sequential algorithms

programs which run in order, one step at a time.

Linear algorithms

algorithms that take n steps to complete

Speedup

the time used to complete a task sequentially divided by the time to complete a task in parallel

Heuristics

provide a good-enough solution when actual solution is impossible

Undecidable algorithms

problems for which no algorithms can provide a correct yes or no answer

Unreasonable algorithms

Algorithms with no solution that can not be found in a reasonable amount of time

Distributed programs

can be run on thousand on millions of computers to solve giant problems