online medical dictionary | definition of heuristic

1. <computer programming> A rule of thumb, simplification, or educated guess that reduces or limits the search for solutions in domains that are difficult and poorly understood. Unlike algorithms, heuristics do not guarantee optimal, or even feasible, solutions and are often used with no theoretical guarantee.

2. <algorithm> approximation algorithm.

(01 Jun 2001)

Proceeding by trial and error rather than according to a planned route.

(11 Mar 2008)