NIST

algorithm

(definition)

Definition: A computable set of steps to achieve a desired result.

Specialization (... is a kind of me.)
probabilistic algorithm, randomized algorithm, deterministic algorithm, nondeterministic algorithm, on-line algorithm, off-line algorithm, oblivious algorithm, external memory algorithm, heuristic.

Note: The word comes from the Persian author Abu Ja'far Mohammed ibn Mûsâ al-Khowârizmî who wrote a book with arithmetic rules dating from about 825 A.D.

Author: PEB

More information

The Analysis of Algorithms web site.


Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.

Entry modified 10 January 2007.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:39 2015.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "algorithm", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Vreda Pieterse and Paul E. Black, eds. 10 January 2007. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/algorithm.html