Recursion and Dynamic Programming
Fibonacci with Memoization
Compute fib(n) recursively. Cache each fib(k) in a memo map so each
subproblem is solved at most once.
Algorithm
Canonical input n = 6 produces fib(6) = 8. Replay highlights every
memo write and every cache hit.
Basic Implementation
basic.kt
fun fib(n: Int, memo: HashMap<Int, Int>): Int {
if (memo.containsKey(n)) {
return memo[n]!!
}
if (n < 2) {
memo[n] = n
return n
}
val value = fib(n - 1, memo) + fib(n - 2, memo)
memo[n] = value
return value
}
fun main() {
val memo = HashMap<Int, Int>()
val result = fib(6, memo)
println(result)
}
Complexity
- Time: O(n) with memoization (vs. O(2^n) without)
- Space: O(n) memo + O(n) call stack
Implementation notes
- Kotlin: the recursion takes the memo as a
HashMap<Int, Int>argument rather than acompanion objectfield, which keeps state explicit without hiding the lesson behind a shared global. ThecontainsKey+!!indexer pair stays parallel to the lesson spec instead of leaning ongetOrPut. - The replay shows the call stack on one side and the memo map on the other so memo writes and cache hits are visually distinct.
memoization
A `HashMap<Int, Int>` keyed by `n` stores each completed subproblem. Before recursing, check `memo.containsKey(n)`: a hit returns immediately, a miss descends.
explicit memo state
The memo is threaded through the recursion as `memo: HashMap<Int, Int>` so the lesson stays about caching, not global state.