Online vs Offline Algorithms

Online algorithms make decisions step-by-step as data arrives, adapting to new information in real-time without knowledge of future inputs. Offline algorithms, on the other hand, process all data at once after it has been collected, allowing them to optimize based on the complete dataset. Think of online algorithms like navigating traffic with live updates, while offline algorithms are like planning a trip with all destinations known beforehand. The main difference lies in their knowledge of future data: online algorithms work with partial, ongoing information, whereas offline algorithms have access to the entire dataset upfront.