Algorithms For Dummies

 

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You have a single machine (or worker) that can work out orders.

 

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Orders arrive in batches, so you have many to choose from at a time.

 

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Orders differ in length, each requiring a different execution time.

For instance, you receive four jobs from four business customers requiring eight, 

four, 12, and three hours, respectively, to execute. Even though the total execution 

time remains the same, changing the job-execution order changes the time when 

you complete the jobs and dictates how long each business customer has to wait 

before having its job done. The following sections consider different methods for 

meeting business customer needs given specific goals.