Space-Bounded Computation

Space-bounded computation studies how much memory or workspace a computer needs to solve problems. Think of it as measuring the size of a workspace or desk required to complete a task, rather than how long it takes. Some problems can be solved quickly if there's enough memory, while others require very little memory but more time. Understanding these limits helps us analyze the efficiency of algorithms and the capabilities of computers with restricted memory resources, such as embedded devices or large-scale data processing systems. It's a fundamental area in theoretical computer science that balances speed and memory usage in computation.