English Dictionary
optimum
adj : most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or
implied; "an optimum return on capital"; "optimal
concentration of a drug" [syn: {optimal}]
n : most favorable condition or greatest degree or amount
possible under given circumstances
English Computing Dictionary
optimal
1. Describes a solution to a problem which
minimises some {cost function}. {Linear programming} is one
technique used to discover the optimal solution to certain
problems.
2.
Of code: best or most efficient in time, space or code size.
(1995-10-05)