An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that defines a set of instructions that must be carried out in a specific order to produce the desired result. Algorithms are generally developed independently of underlying languages, which means that an algorithm can be implemented in more than one
programming language. Unambiguity, fineness, effectiveness, and language independence are some of the characteristics of an algorithm. The scalability and performance of an algorithm are the primary factors that contribute to its importance.
After defining what an algorithm is, you will now look at algorithm characteristics. Characteristics of an AlgorithmAn algorithm has the following characteristics:
Moving on in this What is an Algorithm tutorial, you will look at why you need an algorithm. Why Do You Need an Algorithm?You require algorithms for the following reasons: ScalabilityIt aids in your understanding of scalability. When you have a sizable real-world problem, you must break it down into small steps to analyze it quickly. PerformanceThe real world is challenging to break down into smaller steps. If a problem can be easily divided into smaller steps, it indicates that the problem is feasible. After understanding what is an algorithm, why you need an algorithm, you will look at how to write one using an example. How to Write an Algorithm?
ExampleNow, use an example to learn how to write algorithms. Problem: Create an algorithm that multiplies two numbers and displays the output. Step 1 − Start Step 2 − declare three integers x, y & z Step 3 − define values of x & y Step 4 − multiply values of x & y Step 5 − store result of step 4 to z Step 6 − print z Step 7 − Stop Algorithms instruct programmers on how to write code. In addition, the algorithm can be written as: Step 1 − Start mul Step 2 − get values of x & y Step 3 − z ← x * y Step 4 − display z Step 5 − Stop In algorithm design and analysis, the second method is typically used to describe an algorithm. It allows the analyst to analyze the algorithm while ignoring all unwanted definitions easily. They can see which operations are being used and how the process is progressing. It is optional to write step numbers. To solve a given problem, you create an algorithm. A problem can be solved in a variety of ways. As a result, many solution algorithms for a given problem can be derived. The following step is to evaluate the proposed solution algorithms and implement the most appropriate solution. As you progress through this "what is an Algorithm" tutorial, you will learn about some of the components of an algorithm. Factors of an AlgorithmThe following are the factors to consider when designing an algorithm:
You will now see why an algorithm is so essential after understanding some of its components. Importance of an AlgorithmThere are two factors in which the algorithm is fundamental: Theoretical SignificanceWhen you are given a real-world problem, you must break it down into smaller modules. To deconstruct the problem, you must first understand all of its theoretical aspects. Practical SignificanceAs you all know, theory cannot be completed without practical application. As a result, the significance of algorithms can be considered both theoretically and practically. As you progress through this "what is an algorthim" tutorial, you will see algorithmic approaches. Approaches of an AlgorithmFollowing consideration of both the theoretical and practical importance of designing an algorithm, the following approaches were used:
This algorithm uses the general logic structure to design an algorithm. It is also called an exhaustive search algorithm because it exhausts all possibilities to provide the required solution. There are two kinds of such algorithms:
This is a straightforward algorithm implementation. It enables you to create an algorithm in a step-by-step fashion. It deconstructs the algorithm to solve the problem in various ways. It allows you to divide the problem into different methods, generating valid output for valid input. This accurate output is forwarded to another function.
This is an algorithm paradigm that makes the best choice possible on each iteration in the hopes of choosing the best solution. It is simple to set up and has a shorter execution time. However, there are very few cases where it is the best solution.
It improves the efficiency of the algorithm by storing intermediate results. It goes through five steps to find the best solution to the problem:
Only integer programming problems can be solved using the branch and bound algorithm. This method divides all feasible solution sets into smaller subsets. These subsets are then evaluated further to find the best solution.
As with a standard algorithm, you have predefined input and output. Deterministic algorithms have a defined set of information and required results and follow some described steps. They are more efficient than non-deterministic algorithms.
It is an algorithmic procedure that recursively and discards the solution if it does not satisfy the constraints of the problem. Following your understanding of what is an algorith, and its approaches, you will now look at algorithm analysis. Analysis of an AlgorithmThe algorithm can be examined at two levels: before and after it is created. The two algorithm analyses are as follows:
In this context, priori analysis refers to the theoretical analysis of an algorithm performed before implementing the algorithm. Before implementing the algorithm, various factors such as processor speed, which does not affect the implementation, can be considered.
In this context, posterior analysis refers to a practical analysis of an algorithm. The algorithm is implemented in any programming language to perform the experimental research. This analysis determines how much running time and space is required. Moving on in this "what is an algorithm" tutorial, you will now look at the complexity of an algorithm. The Complexity of an AlgorithmThe algorithm's performance can be measured in two ways: Time ComplexityThe amount of time required to complete an algorithm's execution is called time complexity. The big O notation is used to represent an algorithm's time complexity. The asymptotic notation for describing time complexity, in this case, is big O notation. The time complexity is calculated primarily by counting the number of steps required to complete the execution. Let us look at an example of time complexity. mul = 1; // Suppose you have to calculate the multiplication of n numbers. for i=1 to n mul = mul *1; // when the loop ends, then mul holds the multiplication of the n numbers return mul; The time complexity of the loop statement in the preceding code is at least n, and as the value of n escalates, so does the time complexity. While the code's complexity, i.e., returns mul, will be constant because its value is not dependent on the importance of n and will provide the result in a single step. The worst-time complexity is generally considered because it is the maximum time required for any given input size. Space ComplexityThe amount of space an algorithm requires to solve a problem and produce an output is called its space complexity. Space complexity, like time complexity, is expressed in big O notation. The space is required for an algorithm for the following reasons:
Space Complexity = Auxiliary Space + Input Size Finally after understanding what is an algorithm, its analysis and approches, you will look at different types of algorithms. Types of AlgorithmsThere are two types of algorithms:
Search AlgorithmEvery day, you look for something in your daily life. Similarly, in the case of a computer, a large amount of data is stored in the computer, and whenever a user requests data, the computer searches for that data in the memory and returns it to the user. There are primarily two methods for searching data in an array: The searching algorithm is of two types:
Linear search is a simple algorithm that begins searching for an element or a value at the beginning of an array and continues until the required element is not found. It compares the element to be searched with all the elements in an array; if a match is found, the element index is returned; otherwise, -1 is returned. This algorithm can be applied to an unsorted list.
A binary algorithm is the most basic algorithm, and it searches for elements very quickly. It is used to find an element in a sorted list. To implement the binary algorithm, the elements must be stored in sequential order or sorted. If the elements are stored randomly, binary search cannot be implemented. Sort AlgorithmSorting algorithms rearrange elements in an array or a given data structure in ascending or descending order. The comparison operator decides the new order of the elements. Now that you have completed the tutorial on "what is an algorithm," you will summarise what you have learned so far. Get a firm foundation in Java, the most commonly used programming language in software development with the Java Certification Training Course. Next StepsIn this tutorial, you learned what an algorithm is and what its characteristics are. After that, you took a look at why you need algorithms, how to write them, and how important they are. After you learned about the approaches and factors of an algorithm, you learned about complexity and types of algorithms. Suppose you're searching for a more extensive study that goes beyond Software Development and covers the most in-demand programming languages and abilities today. In that case, Simplilearn's Full Stack Java Developer Master’s Program is the right choice for you. Explore this globally-recognized bootcamp program and be rest assured that completing this will be the smartest move you can make to enter and grow in the software development profession. Do you have any questions about this tutorial on what an algorithm is? If you do, please leave them in the comments section at the bottom of this page. Our specialists will respond to your questions as quickly as possible! Which term describes a set of instructions that lists steps that must be followed in a particular order?syntax. The set of rules that must be followed when writing program instructions for a specific programming language is called: Structured.
Which term describes a set of step by step instructions that must be executed in order to solve a problem or perform a task?Devising a plan to solve a problem or perform a task using a set of step-by-step instructions is called: writing an algorithm.
What are the set of instructions to be followed in programming called?A computer program is a sequence or set of instructions in a programming language for a computer to execute. Computer programs are one component of software, which also includes documentation and other intangible components.
Which program translates a series of instructions executes them and then translates the next series until the program is fully executed?A compiler does the translation all at once. It produces a complete machine language program that can then be executed. An interpreter, on the other hand, just translates one instruction at a time, and then executes that instruction immediately.
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