Worst-Case Performance Bounds for Simple One-Dimensional Packing Algorithms

The following abstract problem models several practical problems in computer science and operations research: given a list L of real numbers between 0 and l, place the elements of L into a minimum number L^ * of “bins” so that no bin contains numbers whose sum exceeds l. Motivated by the likelihood that an excessive amount of computation will be required by any algorithm which actually determines an optimal placement, we examine the performance of a number of simple algorithms which obtain “good” placements. The first-fit algorithm places each number, in succession, into the first bin in which it fits. The best-fit algorithm places each number, in succession, into the most nearly full bin in which it fits. We show that neither the first-fit nor the best-fit algorithm will ever use more than 1710L^ * + 2 bins. Furthermore, we outline a proof that, if L is in decreasing order, then neither algorithm will use more than 119 L^ * + 4 bins. Examples are given to show that both upper bounds are essentially the best possible. Similar results are obtained when the list L contains no numbers larger than < 1.