Which C Prime Number Algorithm is Fastest: Atkin or Eratosthenes?

Finding the Fastest Prime Number Algorithm in C

The quest for an efficient prime number identification algorithm has led to numerous approaches. One popular method, Sieve of Eratosthenes, while widely used, may not provide the desired speed. To address this, we'll explore a more efficient technique: Sieve of Atkin.

Sieve of Atkin

The Sieve of Atkin is a highly optimized prime number-hunting method. Unlike the Sieve of Eratosthenes, which sequentially eliminates non-prime numbers, Atkin's sieve harnesses prime-generating axioms to rapidly filter out prime candidates.

Implementation and Benefits

Dan Bernstein's primegen, an implementation of Atkin's sieve, has proven to be exceptionally swift. Benchmarks reveal its significant performance advantage over the traditional Sieve of Eratosthenes. Its speed makes it an ideal choice for applications where prime number generation is crucial.

In conclusion, while the Sieve of Eratosthenes remains a widely used prime number identification tool, the Sieve of Atkin offers a substantial performance boost for C developers seeking the fastest possible algorithm.

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