title: What does "O(1) access time" mean?
body: <p>I have seen this term "O(1) access time" used to mean "quickly" but I don't understand what it means. The other term that I see with it in the same context is "O(n) access time". Could someone please explain in a simple way what these terms mean?</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p><strong>See Also</strong></p>
    
    <ul>
    <li><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/133008/what-is-big-o-notation-do-you-use-it">What is Big O notation? Do you use it?</a></li>
    <li><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/107165/big-o-for-eight-year-olds">Big-O for Eight Year Olds?</a></li>
    </ul>
  </blockquote>