Greedy Approach vs Dynamic programming Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 71 Likes Like Report Greedy approach and Dynamic programming are two different algorithmic approaches that can be used to solve optimization problems. Here are the main differences between these two approaches: Greedy Approach:The greedy approach makes the best choice at each step with the hope of finding a global optimum solution.It selects the locally optimal solution at each stage without considering the overall effect on the solution.Greedy algorithms are usually simple, easy to implement, and efficient, but they may not always lead to the best solution.Dynamic Programming:Dynamic programming breaks down a problem into smaller subproblems and solves each subproblem only once, storing its solution.It uses the results of solved subproblems to build up a solution to the larger problem.Dynamic programming is typically used when the same subproblems are being solved multiple times, leading to inefficient recursive algorithms. By storing the results of subproblems, dynamic programming avoids redundant computations and can be more efficient.Difference between Greedy Approach and Dynamic ProgrammingFeatureGreedy ApproachDynamic ProgrammingOptimalityMay not always provide an optimal solution.Guarantees an optimal solution if the problem exhibits the principle of optimality.Subproblem ReuseDoes not reuse solutions to subproblems.Reuses solutions to overlapping subproblems.BacktrackingDoes not involve backtracking.May involve backtracking, especially in top-down implementations.ComplexityTypically simpler and faster to implement.May be more complex and slower to implement.ApplicationSuitable for problems where local optimization leads to global optimization.Suitable for problems with overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure.ExamplesMinimum Spanning Tree, Shortest Path algorithms.Fibonacci sequence, Longest Common Subsequence.Related Articles: Greedy AlgorithmDynamic programmingOptimal substructureOverlapping subproblem Create Quiz Comment G gyanendra371 Follow 71 Improve G gyanendra371 Follow 71 Improve Article Tags : Dynamic Programming Greedy Difference Between DSA knapsack +1 More Explore DSA FundamentalsLogic Building Problems 2 min read Analysis of Algorithms 1 min read Data StructuresArray Data Structure 3 min read String in Data Structure 2 min read Hashing in Data Structure 2 min read Linked List Data Structure 3 min read Stack Data Structure 2 min read Queue Data Structure 2 min read Tree Data Structure 2 min read Graph Data Structure 3 min read Trie Data Structure 15+ min read AlgorithmsSearching Algorithms 2 min read Sorting Algorithms 3 min read Introduction to Recursion 15 min read Greedy Algorithms 3 min read Graph Algorithms 3 min read Dynamic Programming or DP 3 min read Bitwise Algorithms 4 min read AdvancedSegment Tree 2 min read Binary Indexed Tree or Fenwick Tree 15 min read Square Root (Sqrt) Decomposition Algorithm 15+ min read Binary Lifting 15+ min read Geometry 2 min read Interview PreparationInterview Corner 3 min read GfG160 3 min read Practice ProblemGeeksforGeeks Practice - Leading Online Coding Platform 1 min read Problem of The Day - Develop the Habit of Coding 5 min read Like