'Big Oh' confusion

**HarryW** · Feb 4th, 2001, 08:10 AM

Hi all.

In one of the courses I do at uni we briefly went over 'Big Oh', 'Little Oh', 'Big Omega' and another Greek letter that I've forgotten.

The point seemed to be that you should apply arbitrary constants to some expressions in order to find which category(s) an algorithm falls under, and what the order of the algorithm is for the purposes of comparing algorithms. These arbitrary constants though - they have been a source of much confusion. I don't really see how you can use them to compare two algorithms if they have been picked totally arbitrarily. Is it at all desirable to find optimum values for them (if such optimums exist)?

I hope someone can tell what I'm talking about. I don't think I really know enough about it to use the terms properly.

**barrk** · Feb 5th, 2001, 10:26 AM

The Big O refers to something else entirely over here! I'd elaborate but I'd probably get banned from the site!

**HarryW** · Feb 5th, 2001, 02:19 PM

*Sigh* Not that big O Katie

Well it doesn't matter now anyway, I'm pretty sure I figured it out.

**barrk** · Feb 5th, 2001, 02:26 PM

Just trying to help!!!!!!!!!

**parksie** · Feb 5th, 2001, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by barrk
The Big O refers to something else entirely over here! I'd elaborate but I'd probably get banned from the site!

Ooh ooh please!

**barrk** · Feb 5th, 2001, 02:57 PM

What parksie............you want me to get banned????

**parksie** · Feb 5th, 2001, 03:01 PM

Nope...that would be boring

I meant elaborating

**barrk** · Feb 5th, 2001, 03:02 PM

N is for nukie
O is for orgasm
P is for please.....

Need I elaborate further???

**parksie** · Feb 5th, 2001, 03:06 PM

Nope....I get the picture. (not literally)

**barrk** · Feb 5th, 2001, 03:08 PM

Speaking of pictures....I'm glad to see your cheesy smile is back...

**parksie** · Feb 5th, 2001, 03:12 PM

Yep

**parksie** · Feb 6th, 2001, 01:14 PM

Nope

Thread: 'Big Oh' confusion

Thread Tools

Display

Posting Permissions