I written an algorithm to calculate the next lexicographic permutation of an array of integers (ex. 123, 132, 213, 231, 312,323). I dont think the code is necessary but I included it below.
I think I have appropriately determined worst case time cost of O(n) where n is the number of elements in the array. I understand however if you utilize “Amortized Cost” you would find that the time cost could be accurately shown as O(1) on average case.
Question:
I would like to learn the “ACCOUNTING METHOD” to show this as O(1) but am having difficulty understanding how to apply a cost to each operation. Accounting method: Link: Accounting_Method_Explained
Thoughts:
Ive thought to apply a cost of changing a value at a position, or applying the cost to a swap. But it really doesnt make much sense.
public static int[] getNext(int[] array) {
int temp;
int j = array.length - 1;
int k = array.length - 1;
// Find largest index j with a[j] < a[j+1]
// Finds the next adjacent pair of values not in descending order
do {
j--;
if(j < 0)
{
//Edge case, where you have the largest value, return reverse order
for(int x = 0, y = array.length-1; x<y; x++,y--)
{
temp = array[x];
array[x] = array[y];
array[y] = temp;
}
return array;
}
}while (array[j] > array[j+1]);
// Find index k such that a[k] is smallest integer
// greater than a[j] to the right of a[j]
for (;array[j] > array[k]; k--,count++);
//Swap the two elements found from j and k
temp = array[k];
array[k] = array[j];
array[j] = temp;
//Sort the elements to right of j+1 in ascending order
//This will make sure you get the next smallest order
//after swaping j and k
int r = array.length - 1;
int s = j + 1;
while (r > s) {
temp = array[s];
array[s++] = array[r];
array[r--] = temp;
}
return array;
} // end getNext
From the aggregate analysis, we see T(n) < n! · e < n! · 3, so we pay $3 for each operation, and its enough for the total n! operations. Therefore its an upper bound of actual cost. So the total amortized