When an algorithm is considered completed?

When an algorithm is considered completed depends on the specific task or problem it’s designed to solve. Here are some common criteria for determining when an algorithm is considered completed:

1. Output meets the requirements: The algorithm is considered completed when it produces output that meets the specified requirements or solves the problem it was designed for.
2. Convergence: For iterative algorithms, completion may be defined by reaching a certain level of convergence where further iterations do not significantly change the output.
3. Termination condition: Some algorithms have explicit termination conditions built in, such as reaching a certain number of iterations, achieving a specific level of accuracy, or satisfying certain constraints.
4. Resource exhaustion: Completion may occur when the algorithm exhausts its allocated resources, such as memory or computation time.
5. No further improvement: In optimization problems, the algorithm may be considered completed when it reaches a point where further iterations do not result in significant improvement in the objective function.
6. User intervention: In some cases, completion may be determined by user intervention, where the user decides that the output is satisfactory or that further iterations are unnecessary.

The correct answer to the interview question would depend on the context of the algorithm being discussed and which of these criteria apply. It’s important to demonstrate an understanding of the specific problem domain and how completion is defined within that context.