Do you use Big-O complexity evaluation in the 'real world'?

Question

Recently in an interview I was asked several questions related to the Big-O of various algorithms that came up in the course of the technical questions. I don\'t think I di

Answer 1

No. I don't use Big-O complexity in 'real world' situations.

My view on the whole issue is this - (maybe wrong.. but its just my take.)

The Big-O complexity stuff is ultimately to understand how efficient an algorithm is. If from experience or by other means, you understand the algorithms you are dealing with, and are able to use the right algo in the right place, thats all that matters.

If you know this Big-O stuff and are able to use it properly, well and good.

If you don't know to talk about algos and their efficiencies in the mathematical way - Big-O stuff, but you know what really matters - the best algo to use in a situation - thats perfectly fine.

If you don't know either, its bad.