A brute force approach is a problem-solving technique that involves systematically checking all possible candidates for a solution to a given problem. It is also known as exhaustive search or generate and test. The brute force algorithm tries out all the possibilities until a satisfactory solution is found.
Here are some features of the brute force approach:
- It is an intuitive, direct, and straightforward technique of problem-solving in which all the possible ways or all the possible solutions to a given problem are enumerated.
- It is a guaranteed way to find the correct solution by listing all the possible candidate solutions for the problem.
- It is a generic method and not limited to any specific domain of problems.
- The brute force method is ideal for solving small and simpler problems.
- It is known for its simplicity and can serve as a comparison benchmark.
However, the brute force approach has some disadvantages:
- The main disadvantage of the brute force method is that, for many real-world problems, the number of natural candidates is prohibitively large.
- The brute force approach is inefficient. For real-time problems, algorithm analysis often goes above the O(N!) order of growth.
- This method relies more on compromising the power of a computer system for solving a problem than on a good algorithm design.
- Brute force algorithms are slow.
- Brute force algorithms are not constructive or creative compared to other algorithms.
In summary, the brute force approach is a simple and straightforward technique for solving problems, but it can be inefficient and impractical for many real-world problems. It is best suited for small and simpler problems where the number of candidates is limited.