What are the drawbacks of memoization?

What are the drawbacks of memoization?

Memoization can lead to increased memory usage, especially if the cache grows large. It may also introduce complexity in managing the cache.

Can you give an example of when memoization might not be beneficial?

Sure! In cases where the function has a large number of unique inputs, the memory overhead can outweigh the performance benefits.

Are there any specific scenarios where memoization is a bad idea?

Yes, memoization is not ideal for functions with high variability in input or when the function is rarely called with the same arguments.

What alternatives exist to memoization?

Alternatives include using iterative approaches, dynamic programming, or simply optimizing the algorithm without caching.

How can I decide if I should use memoization?

Consider the function's call frequency, input variability, and memory constraints. If the function is called often with the same inputs, memoization may be beneficial.