Caveat

Although in most cases the analysis of algorithms focuses on the worst-case behavior of programs, there are cases where other issues dominate:

• If you don't plan to execute the program very often, a program that is easy to write but inefficient may be preferable.

• If the program only needs to handle small problems, the worst-case behavior on large problems may not be relevant.

• If the most efficient program is too complicated to maintain, a less efficient, but easily understood program may be preferable.