[SOLVED] What's the most efficient way to test if two ranges overlap?

Issue

Given two inclusive ranges [x1:x2] and [y1:y2], where x1 ≤ x2 and y1 ≤ y2, what is the most efficient way to test whether there is any overlap of the two ranges?

A simple implementation is as follows:

bool testOverlap(int x1, int x2, int y1, int y2) {
  return (x1 >= y1 && x1 <= y2) ||
         (x2 >= y1 && x2 <= y2) ||
         (y1 >= x1 && y1 <= x2) ||
         (y2 >= x1 && y2 <= x2);
}

But I expect there are more efficient ways to compute this.

What method would be the most efficient in terms of fewest operations?

Solution

What does it mean for the ranges to overlap? It means there exists some number C which is in both ranges, i.e.

x1 <= C <= x2

and

y1 <= C <= y2

To avoid confusion, considering the ranges are:
[x1:x2] and [y1:y2]

Now, if we are allowed to assume that the ranges are well-formed (so that x1 <= x2 and y1 <= y2) then it is sufficient to test

x1 <= y2 && y1 <= x2

OR

(StartA <= EndB) and (EndA >= StartB)

Answered By – Simon Nickerson

Answer Checked By – Terry (BugsFixing Volunteer)