Memoization vs Tabulation
Learn when to use each pattern and make the right choice in your coding interview.
Quick Answer
Use Memoization when you want top-down DP with recursion
Use Tabulation when you want bottom-up DP with iteration
Side-by-Side Comparison
Memoization
Best For
Tree problems, when not all subproblems needed
Time
Same as tabulation
Space
O(n) + recursion stack
Tabulation
Best For
When all subproblems must be solved, space optimization
Time
Same as memoization
Space
O(n), can optimize to O(1)
How to Decide
- More comfortable with recursion? → Memoization
- Need to optimize space? → Tabulation
- Only some subproblems needed? → Memoization
- Clear iterative order? → Tabulation
Practice Both Patterns
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