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What Is an Algorithm?

What Is an Algorithm? – Full Information

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In this Article, We will Discuss “What Is An Algorithm – Full Information”. “A procedure or set of rules which are followed in calculations or other problem-solving processes” is just what the word “algorithm” means. An algorithm is typically defined as a short procedure in mathematics and computer science that resolves a repetitive problem. Additionally, we can claim that the computer programs are a comprehensive algorithm version. A program is a set of clear, concise instructions that are designed to create the desired objectives in a fixed number of iterations.

  • A “Flowchart” is what is used to describe an algorithm when it is represented visually using specific symbols that denote the various types of instructions.
  • It is referred to as “Pseudocode” when an algorithm is written in a way that structurally mimics computer instructions.
  • The name of the mathematician Muammad ibn Ms al-Khwrizm, a member of Baghdad’s royal court in the ninth century, is when the word algorithm is derived. The writings of Al-Khwarizmi are another potential origin for the algebraic term.
Algorithm?
What Is an Algorithm?

Characteristics of Algorithm:

In order to use the Program to get the desired outcome, the following steps should be taken:-

Effective: It implies that when the technique is used, a solution should be discovered.

Easy to understand: Program should be unambiguous and clear. So that it is simple to comprehend.

Well defined inputs and outputs: If an Program requests input, it must be a clearly specified input, and the program must also specify an output as a result.

Reliable: It must be reliable and built using modern technology.

Language independent: The method should be built with a language-independent structure, meaning that it can be used with any programming language and produce the same, expected results.

Finishes or End Point: Therefore, it should have a set number of stages and so it can’t continue indefinitely.

What Is an Algorithm?
Important Types of Algorithm

Important Types Of Algorithm:

Algorithms are divided based on the concepts they use to perform a task. There are many other types of program used in programming, but in this article we’ll talk about the most significant and the fundamental types of programs.

1. Divide and Conquer Algorithms

This kind of program repeatedly divides a challenging problem into two or more components of the same or closely related type, until the problem is reduced to the point where it may be resolved directly and simply. The final answer to the original problem is determined by combining the solutions to the sub problems. Divide and conquer Program include Quick Sort, Integer Multiplication, Merge Sort, and Binary Search, among others.

2. Recursive Algorithms

Recursion is the foundation of this kind of programs. A issue is broken down into related sub-problems through recursion, and each time one calls oneself, the problem is solved with the help of a base condition. In-order/Preorder/Post order Tree Traversals, Fibonacci Series, Towers of Hanoi (TOH), Factorial of a Number, Towers of Hanoi (FOH), DFS for Graph, and others are examples of frequent problems that can be easily solved using the recursive approach.

3. Brute Force Algorithms

This kind of program is the most fundamental and straightforward. It explores every option until a satisfying answer to any issue is discovered. The travelling salesman problem is a well-known instance of the brute force Program in computer science (TSP).

4. Greedy Algorithms

With this method, the solution is constructed one by one. It consistently selects the item that delivers the greatest blatant and immediate advantage as the next. Prim’s Approach, Huffman Coding, and Kruskal’s Program are a few examples of typical problems that can be quickly resolved using the greedy algorithm. Additionally, greedy Program are seen in network routing.

5. Dynamic Programming Algorithms

Due to the fact that it maintains the previous calculation’s result in order to prevent further counting, this sort of methods or program is indeed known as the memoization technique. Using this technique, we may resolve problems like the Floyd Warshall Algorithm, the Knapsack Problem, the Dijkstra Shortest Path Algorithm, and others.

6. Randomized Programs

A randomized program is one that uses random numbers to decide what needs to be done at a reasonable location. For instance, in Randomized Quick Sort, we choose the following pivot using a random number (or we randomly shuffle the array).

7. Backtracking Algorithms

A backtracking method is a problem-solving program that finds the desired result by applying a brute force method. It provides an extended (incremental) solution to any issue. Take the Sudoku problem solving issue, for instance. We attempt entering the digits one at a time.

What Is an Algorithm?
Advantages of Algorithm

Advantages Of Algorithm:

Both advantages and disadvantages can be identified in Programs. We’ll talk about it below. An program has the following advantages:

  • It is unambiguous, clear, and simple to understand.
  • It is created step by step to solve any complex problem.
  • Since it does not depend on a specific programming language, anyone may easily understand it and it is not absolutely important to know how and when to programme.
  • Program simplify difficult problems into manageable steps, making it simpler for programmers to turn them into working programmes.
  • A program always uses a definite method or techniques.
  • The Program is simple to examine because each step has its own logical order.
  • It is simple to create an algorithm first, then transform it into a flowchart, and finally into a working computer program in order to solve any problem because algorithms truly function like a blueprint for programmes.
  • It helps a beginner to understand how a problem can be solved simply.

Disadvantages Of Algorithm:

Here are few of the disadvantages of algorithm listed below:-

  • A Program is time-consuming because it always requires a long time to write and construct properly.
  • Complicated problems are difficult to put in or computation.
  • The branching and looping statements in programs are challenging to understand.
  • Creating and understanding the complex logic through programs can sometimes be very difficult.
Examples Of Program:

Example 1: Calculating the sum of two numbers

First: Enter A

Step 2: Provide B

3rd step: Sum = A + B

4th Step: Print the Sum

5th Step: Stop

Example 2:- Finding the median of a fixed number of inputs

Step 1: To find the sum S, add the numbers (n1+n2+n3+,…,+nn)

2nd Step : Divide the sum by the number count i.e. n to get the average Avg:=S/n

3rd Step: Print the average Avg

4th Step: Stop

Some of the largest business empires, like Google, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Volvo, and others, have been established because of algorithms. In fact, Larry Page and Sergey Brin sought to create an program that would enable consumers to quickly access some information on the Internet, and that’s how the tech giant Google was started.

Despite the fact that industry leaders like Dell, HP, Under Armour, Corning, Colgate-Palmolive, Li & Fung, and others are producing some of the most intriguing work in their respective fields, digital natives like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, and Uber are excellent examples of how to create and use Programs.

Fun fact: The first computer Algorithm originally created, by Ada Lovelace, fetches $1,25,000 when put up for auction. She is still widely regarded as the first computer programmer in the world more than 200 years later.

Conclusion: 

I hope you find this article on “what is an algorithm” interesting. So here are some Interesting Facts about Google Algorithm that You should know. Comment if you have any questions. Thank You.

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