What is the difference between backtracking and dynamic programming?

What is the difference between backtracking and dynamic programming?

Backtracking is a method for solving problems incrementally, trying partial solutions and abandoning them if they fail. Dynamic programming, on the other hand, solves problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems and storing the results to avoid redundant calculations.

Can you give an example of a problem suited for backtracking?

Sure! The N-Queens problem is a classic example where backtracking is used to place N queens on an N×N chessboard without threatening each other.

And what about dynamic programming?

A great example of dynamic programming is the Fibonacci sequence, where you can store previously calculated values to efficiently compute larger numbers.

How do I decide which method to use for a specific problem?

It depends on the problem structure. If the problem can be broken down into overlapping subproblems, dynamic programming is often more efficient. If the problem requires exploring all possibilities, backtracking might be the way to go.