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Define 'Algorithm'?

Started by Moe Dec 1, 2001 at 6:01 PM 8 replies 850+ views

Original Post

Moe

496

Moe

Dec 1, 2001 at 6:01 PM

I have been thinking about this for a little bit now. What exactly is an algorithm? So far the only definition that I have thought of is: Algorithm - a series of mathmatical operations that perform an overall operation. Is this a good definition?

siaspete

Dec 1, 2001 at 6:13 PM

Not necessarily mathematical, just a method of getting something done.

Oluseyi

526

Oluseyi

Dec 1, 2001 at 6:16 PM

quote:
From dictionary.com:
al·go·rithm (lg-rthm)
n.
A step-by-step problem-solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps.

LilBudyWizer

145

LilBudyWizer

Dec 2, 2001 at 9:26 AM

Hey, that''s cheating using a dictionary to find definitions of words

jollyjeffers

245

jollyjeffers

Dec 2, 2001 at 4:17 PM

that was my argument for the last 10yrs (or so) of english lessons...

Jack;

Student

Dec 2, 2001 at 4:48 PM

a way to find a solution to solve a given problem/ task, this solution must be deterministic, and work for a given system/ processor. So before i get to much into details just head over to this link wwwtcs.inf.tu-dresden.de, i think this site will answer some of your questions.

You don''''t know the Power of the dark side

Moe

Author

496

Moe

Dec 3, 2001 at 1:27 PM

Ah, well, that certainl makes things a bit easier to understand. It seems like a pretty comlicated word for something so simple.

Student

Dec 3, 2001 at 3:10 PM

yeah we all use the word algorithm in every day life and that makes us define it in our own way, or we even don''t know the definition but what it means and thus a clearing word in some situations is helpful.

You don''''t know the Power of the dark side

grhodes_at_work

Mod

197

grhodes_at_work

Dec 3, 2001 at 10:47 PM

Interesting....a philosophical twist on "math and physics!"

Fruny

203

Fruny

Dec 3, 2001 at 10:48 PM

Algorithm : cooking recipe.

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