NIST

probabilistic algorithm

(definition)

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

Generalization (I am a kind of ...)
algorithm.

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 28 February 2019.
HTML page formatted Wed Mar 13 12:42:46 2019.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "probabilistic algorithm", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed. 28 February 2019. (accessed TODAY) Available from: https://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/probablAlgo.html