Developer Dictionary
Algorithm
Definition
A step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem.
Deep Dive
An algorithm is a finite, unambiguous, step-by-step procedure or a set of well-defined instructions for solving a problem or performing a computation. It must be precise, have a clear starting point and end point, and produce a result for every valid input. Algorithms are the fundamental building blocks of all computer programs, dictating how a computer processes data and accomplishes tasks, from simple calculations to complex decision-making processes.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1Google's PageRank algorithm for ordering search results
- 2A recipe providing step-by-step instructions to bake a cake
- 3A sorting algorithm arranging a list of numbers from smallest to largest
Related Terms
Data StructureHeuristicPseudocode