Brute Force
Brute force is a problem-solving approach in computer science and mathematics that involves systematically checking all possible candidates for a solution until the correct one is found. It is a straightforward, exhaustive search method that guarantees a solution if one exists, but can be computationally expensive for large problem spaces. This approach is often used as a baseline or when no more efficient algorithm is known or applicable.
Developers should learn brute force approaches to understand fundamental algorithmic thinking and as a fallback when optimizing for simplicity or small input sizes. It is particularly useful in scenarios like password cracking, solving small combinatorial problems (e.g., generating permutations), or as a reference implementation to verify more complex algorithms. However, it should be avoided for large-scale problems due to its inefficiency, where techniques like dynamic programming or greedy algorithms are preferred.