What is an algorithm?

[robertalert86]

The term algorithm (pronounced "AL-go-rith-um") is a procedure or formula for solving a problem. The word derives from the name of the Persian mathematician, Al-Khowarizmi (825 AD). A computer program can be viewed as an elaborate algorithm. In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm usually means a small procedure that solves a recurrent problem.

[nidhi vohra]

algorithm is a step by step description of a process and is a first step to solve any process

[tanujagrawal]

What exactly is an algorithm, as in what does Algorithm mean? The little I understand the word, is that it's not specific to a particular language, or design pattern, rather it's one the most basic principles (so I guess this question makes me look stupid).One of the "options" I have of understanding it, is that it means the method of getting something done, that could be written as a list in pseudocode.When I write more complicated code, I think what needs to be done, with what, and how I would get there (not in a programming language), then write that in code. Is that good way to go about it, and is that anything to do with algorithms?(I wanted to ask here rather on Stackoverflow, because it's not about a specific problem/language plus I get the feeling that the majority of people here know the 'why', or at least the answers here are more detailed, rather than on Stackoverflow where it's different, I'm sorry if I should have asked over there)

[rosterfedrik]

Algorithm is a procedure or a function,In this step-by-step following set of rules and solving a problem.algorithm is well-defined instructions for calculating a function. These are useful to Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning.

[suganya]

A process or a set of rules that is to be followed in calculations or other problem solving operations,by a computer.Algorithms are used for calculation,data processing and automated reasoning.

[malik1994]

its somewhat calculations

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[Anny33]

Algorithm is a set of steps for designing a program.

[BangaloreWebGenius]

Algorithm is a step by step procedure or method to solve the given problem or a set of rules to analyze the given problems.Types of algorithm are encryption,decryption,key exchange and message digest(Secure Hash Algorithm).

[johnstark166]

a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.

[Donaldstar]

Algorithm is step by step instructions,which has both a start and an end, each step is continuation of before.

[VictorHill]

Step By Step Solution for Any Problem is know as Algorithm. It perform some operations which followed by certain results. Users make flowcharts or maps using a finite number of steps. Scientist, computer program, rubies cube and programmers require algorithm for better output results of users inputs.

[hanhtrinhxanh20]

In simple way, algorithm is numbers which are ordered in order to make things change and improve every day.

[rroger8]

An algorithm (pronounced AL-go-rith-um) is a procedure or formula for solving a problem. The word derives from the name of the mathematician, Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khwarizmi, who was part of the royal court in Baghdad and who lived from about 780 to 850.

[xiaomin]

The term algorithm is a procedure or formula for solving a problem. It's a process or a set of rules followed in calculations or other problem solving operations, by a computer. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing and automated reasoning.