 What is an algorithm? |
| pandy |
 Jul 22 2018, 02:07 AM
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#1
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🌟Computer says no🌟  Group: WDG Moderators Posts: 20,730 Joined: 9-August 06 Member No.: 6  |
Well, I know what it is, sort of. But I've never understood the difference between a (computer) algorithm and a short procedural program or script. Thought it's about time I find out.
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| CharlesEF |
Jul 22 2018, 11:18 PM
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#2
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Programming Fanatic Group: Members Posts: 1,981 Joined: 27-April 13 From: Edinburg, Texas Member No.: 19,088 |
I will admit that I don't know the 'official' meaning but I have always understood that a algorithm is a mathematical formula to perform a specific task. I wouldn't consider a computer program or script an algorithm.
Think about the day of the week. You could write a program or script to determine the day of the week. However, that program/script may be quite large. If you used an algorithm then you would only need a few lines of code. The algorithm would be the function call in that program/script. I hope I haven't confused you more. |
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| pandy |
Jul 23 2018, 12:48 PM
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#3
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🌟Computer says no🌟 Group: WDG Moderators Posts: 20,730 Joined: 9-August 06 Member No.: 6 |
QUOTE(CharlesEF @ Jul 23 2018, 06:18 AM)  I will admit that I don't know the 'official' meaning but I have always understood that a algorithm is a mathematical formula to perform a specific task. I wouldn't consider a computer program or script an algorithm. Think about the day of the week. You could write a program or script to determine the day of the week. However, that program/script may be quite large. If you used an algorithm then you would only need a few lines of code. The algorithm would be the function call in that program/script. I hope I haven't confused you more. Well, I was already confused so...  So you mean an algorithm is part of a program rather than a standalone program? But in that case, isn't it just a subroutine? BTW I know there were math algorithms before there were computers, but I have no ambitions to understand those. |
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Posts in this topic
pandy What is an algorithm? Jul 22 2018, 02:07 AM
CharlesEF
So you mean an algorithm is part of a program rat... Jul 23 2018, 03:09 PM pandy
So you mean an algorithm is part of a program ra... Jul 23 2018, 03:54 PM pandy If this is true, even I use algorithms. :shades: ... Jul 23 2018, 04:06 PM
Christian J :lol: Clear as mud:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wik... Jul 23 2018, 12:41 PM pandy
:lol: Clear as mud:
[url=https://en.wikipedia.o... Jul 23 2018, 12:49 PM CharlesEF
:lol: Clear as mud:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wi... Jul 23 2018, 02:57 PM Christian J
I've never understood the difference between ... Jul 23 2018, 03:16 PM pandy
But is there a distinct difference, maybe the ter... Jul 23 2018, 03:49 PM Christian J
If not, why don't we ever hear someone talk a... Jul 23 2018, 05:11 PM CharlesEF Since the advent of computers the waters have inde... Jul 23 2018, 08:29 PM Darin McGrew Well, I know what it is, sort of. But I've nev... Jul 26 2018, 09:06 PM pandy Oh! So an algorithm isn't actual code? Mor... Jul 27 2018, 06:14 AM Darin McGrew Oh! So an algorithm isn't actual code? Mor... Jul 28 2018, 12:43 AM pandy Wow, that simple... Thanks Darin, I had no idea. ... Jul 28 2018, 08:29 AM |
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