NIST

probabilistic algorithm

(definition)

Definition: Any algorithm that works for all practical purposes but has a theoretical chance of being wrong.

Specialization (... is a kind of me.)
Bloom filter, sublinear time algorithm.

See also Monte Carlo algorithm, Las Vegas algorithm, randomized algorithm, heuristic, deterministic algorithm.

Author: PEB


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Entry modified 27 January 2004.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:40 2015.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "probabilistic algorithm", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Vreda Pieterse and Paul E. Black, eds. 27 January 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/probablAlgo.html