Search⌘ K
AI Features
Home
Courses
Mastering Algorithms for Problem Solving in C++

What is an Algorithm?

Explore the definition and purpose of algorithms, including an example to clarify precise instructions. Understand the historical development of the term algorithm from its roots in medieval mathematics and how it relates to computational problem solving in C++.

We'll cover the following...

Introduction to algorithm

An algorithm is an explicit, precise, unambiguous, mechanically-executable sequence of elementary instructions, usually intended to accomplish a specific purpose. For example, here is an algorithm for singing the song “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” for arbitrary values of 99:

Algorithm

BottlesofBeer(n)‾    For i←n down to 1Sing “i bottles of beer on the wall, i bottles of beer,”Sing “Take one down, pass it around, i−1 bottles of beer on the wall.”Sing “No bottles of beer on the wall, no bottles of beer,”Sing “Go to the store, buy some more, n bottles of beer on the wall.”\underline{Bottles of Beer(n)} \\ \space\space\space\space For\space i ←n\space down\space to\space 1\\ \hspace{1cm} Sing\space “i\space bottles\space of\space beer\space on\space the\space wall,\space i\space bottles\space of\space beer,” \\ \hspace{1cm} Sing\space “Take\space one\space down,\space pass\space it\space around,\space i − 1\space bottles\space of\space beer\space on\space the\space wall.” \\ \hspace{0.35cm} Sing\space “No\space bottles\space of\space beer\space on\space ...