Online Bin Packing

Online bin packing is a problem where items arrive one at a time and must be placed into fixed-sized containers (bins) immediately upon arrival, without knowledge of future items. The goal is to pack all items efficiently, minimizing the number of bins used, while ensuring each bin's capacity isn't exceeded. This process is "online" because decisions are made in real-time, without knowing upcoming items, requiring algorithms that adapt and optimize packing as new items appear. It's applicable in resource management, logistics, and data storage, where decisions must be made instantly and efficiently.