Section: STEM · Computer ScienceDifficulty: Easy
Algorithm
USUK
A finite, step-by-step set of instructions for solving a problem or completing a task.
Definition
An algorithm is a well-defined, finite sequence of instructions or rules designed to solve a specific problem or perform a computation. Algorithms are analyzed for their correctness, efficiency (time complexity), and resource usage (space complexity). Fundamental algorithm categories include searching, sorting, graph traversal, and dynamic programming. Algorithms are the core of all software and computation.
Example
“A GPS navigation app uses Dijkstra's shortest-path algorithm to instantly compute the fastest driving route through a city's road network among millions of possible paths, considering distances and traffic data.”
Synonyms
- computational procedure
- step-by-step method
- recipe
- procedure
Antonyms / Opposites
- heuristic
- brute force
Images
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Related Terms
- Data Structure
- Time Complexity
- Binary Tree
- Recursion