heuristics in computer science

In computer science, heuristics are practical problem-solving methods used to find good enough solutions quickly when perfect answers are difficult or time-consuming to obtain. They rely on rules of thumb, experience, or educated guesses rather than exhaustive searches. Heuristics help algorithms make efficient decisions in complex scenarios, such as navigating mazes or scheduling tasks, by narrowing options and focusing on promising solutions. While they may not always produce the optimal result, they often deliver sufficiently effective outcomes efficiently in real-world applications.