Understanding Time and Space Complexity

AI Maverick
4 min readJan 15, 2024

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Understanding Time and Space Complexity in Algorithms with Python Examples.

Introduction

Algorithms are essential in computer science, and understanding their efficiency is crucial for writing optimized code. Time and space complexity are key aspects used to analyze algorithm performance. This tutorial aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of time and space complexity through practical Python examples.

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1. Constant Time Complexity (O(1))

In this section, we’ll explore algorithms with constant time complexity, where the execution time remains constant regardless of input size.

def constant_time_example(lst):
return lst[0]

Accessing the first element of a list takes constant time, regardless of the list’s size.

2. Logarithmic Time Complexity O(log n)

This occurs in algorithms that reduce the size of the problem with each iteration.

def binary_search(arr, target):
low, high = 0, len(arr) - 1

while low <= high:
mid = (low + high) // 2
if arr[mid] == target:
return mid
elif arr[mid] < target:
low = mid + 1
else:
high = mid - 1

return -1

Binary search divides the search space in half with each iteration.

3. Linear Time Complexity O(n)

The running time increases linearly with the size of the input.

def linear_time_example(lst):
for item in lst:
print(item)

Printing each element in a list takes time proportional to the length of the list.

4. Linearithmic Time Complexity O(n log n)

This typically appears in algorithms that divide the problem into smaller sub-problems, each solved in logarithmic time.

def merge_sort(arr):
if len(arr) <= 1:
return arr

mid = len(arr) // 2
left = merge_sort(arr[:mid])
right = merge_sort(arr[mid:])

return merge(left, right)

def merge(left, right):
result = []
i = j = 0

while i < len(left) and j < len(right):
if left[i] < right[j]:
result.append(left[i])
i += 1
else:
result.append(right[j])
j += 1

result.extend(left[i:])
result.extend(right[j:])
return result

Merge sort is an example of an algorithm with O(n log n) time complexity.

5. Quadratic Time Complexity O(n²)

Algorithms with nested iterations often have quadratic time complexity.

def bubble_sort(arr):
n = len(arr)
for i in range(n):
for j in range(0, n-i-1):
if arr[j] > arr[j+1]:
arr[j], arr[j+1] = arr[j+1], arr[j]

Bubble sort compares and swaps elements and the nested loops lead to O(n²) time complexity.

6. Exponential Time Complexity O(2^n)

Algorithms with exponential time complexity quickly grow with the input size.

def fibonacci_recursive(n):
if n <= 1:
return n
else:
return fibonacci_recursive(n-1) + fibonacci_recursive(n-2)

These are common examples of time complexities, and they represent the worst-case scenario. It’s important to note that Big O notation describes the upper bound or the worst-case scenario of an algorithm’s performance.

Understanding Space Complexity

Throughout the tutorial, we’ll also discuss the space complexity of each algorithm. We’ll cover constant space, logarithmic space, linear space, linearithmic space, quadratic space, and exponential space complexities, providing examples and insights into efficient memory usage.

1. Constant Space Complexity O(1)

In this example, the space used by variables (x, y, result) remains constant regardless of the input size. The amount of memory required does not scale with the size of the input.

def constant_space_example():
x = 5
y = 10
result = x + y
return result

2. Logarithmic Space Complexity O(log n)

In this recursive binary search example, the space used in each recursive call is logarithmic, as the input size is reduced with each recursion.

def binary_search_recursive(arr, target):
if not arr:
return -1

mid = len(arr) // 2
if arr[mid] == target:
return mid
elif arr[mid] < target:
return mid + 1 + binary_search_recursive(arr[mid+1:], target)
else:
return binary_search_recursive(arr[:mid], target)

3. Linear Space Complexity O(n)

def linear_space_example(n):
lst = [0] * n
return lst

The size of the list lst is directly proportional to the input size n, resulting in linear space complexity.

4. Linearithmic Space Complexity O(n log n)

def merge_sort_recursive(arr):
if len(arr) <= 1:
return arr

mid = len(arr) // 2
left = merge_sort_recursive(arr[:mid])
right = merge_sort_recursive(arr[mid:])
return merge(left, right)

In the merge sort example, the space used in each recursive call is logarithmic, and there are log(n) recursive calls, resulting in linearithmic space complexity.

5. Quadratic Space Complexity O(n²)

def quadratic_space_example(n):
matrix = [[0] * n for _ in range(n)]
return matrix

A 2D matrix with dimensions n x n requires quadratic space, as the space used is proportional to the square of the input size.

6. Exponential Space Complexity O(2^n)

def fibonacci_recursive_with_memory(n, memo={}):
if n <= 1:
return n
elif n not in memo:
memo[n] = fibonacci_recursive_with_memory(n-1, memo) + fibonacci_recursive_with_memory(n-2, memo)
return memo[n]

In the recursive Fibonacci example, the memo dictionary stores results for each Fibonacci number, leading to exponential space usage as the input size increases.

These examples illustrate different space complexities and how the memory requirements scale with the input size for each category. Understanding space complexity is essential for optimizing algorithms, especially in scenarios with limited memory resources.

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