There is no agreed definition of the term “algorithm”. A simple definition: A set of instructions for solving a problem. The algorithm is either implemented by a program or simulated by a program. Algorithms often have steps that iterate (repeat) or require decisions such as logic or comparison. A very simple example of an algorithm is to multiply two numbers: on early computers with limited processors, this was accomplished by a routine that, in a number of loops based on the first number, added the second number. The algorithm translates a method into computer commands. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Algorithms are essential to how computers process information, because a computer program is essentially an algorithm that tells the computer the specific steps to take (in what precise order) in order to complete a specific task, such as calculating employee paychecks or printing student report cards. Thus, an algorithm can be considered as any sequence of operations that can be performed by a Turing-complete system. Among the authors who affirm this thesis are Savage (1987) and Gurevich (2000): "...Turing's informal argument in favor of his thesis justifies a more solid thesis: any algorithm can be simulated by a Turing machine" ...according to Savage [1987], an algorithm is a calculation process defined by a Turing machine. “Typically, when an algorithm is associated with information processing, data is read from a source or input device, written to a sink or output device, and/or stored for further processing The stored data is considered part of the internal state of the entity executing the algorithm. In practice, the state is stored in a data structure. For any such computational process, the algorithm must. be rigorously defined: specified in the way it is used applies in all possible circumstances, i.e. all conditional steps must be systematically addressed, on a case-by-case basis; be clear (and computable) because an algorithm is a precise list of precise steps, the order of calculation will almost always be critical to the operation of the algorithm. Instructions are usually assumed to be listed explicitly and are described as starting ". up” and down “down,” an idea that is described more formally by flow of control. So far, this discussion of formalizing an algorithm has assumed the premises of imperative programming. This is the most common conception, and it attempts to describe a task in a discrete, “mechanical” way. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Unique to this design of The formalized algorithms are the assignment operation, setting the value of a variable. It arises from the intuition of “memory” like a notepad. For other conceptions of what constitutes an algorithm, see functional programming and logic programming. The origin of the term comes from the ancients. The concept becomes more precise with the use of variables in mathematics. The algorithm in the sense that computers use today appeared with the invention of the first mechanical motors...