What is an Algorithm in Programming

If you are searching for an answer to the question that what is an algorithm and why and where we use the algorithm. then you are in right place. because in this post, we are going to learn about the term called an algorithm. and how important it is to solve a particular problem, not a technical problem but also a non-technical problem.

What is an Algorithm?

In programming, an algorithm is a step-by-step method for solving a problem. and in another word, we can say that an algorithm has a finite sequence of instructions.

and in order to solve a particular problem, we need a precise and step-by-step method. not in the term of technology but in our daily life we need a step-by-step plan to do any work. 

How to obtain an Algorithm in programming

1. Input
2. a sequence of instructions to process the input.
3. Result

To obtain an algorithm or to write an algorithm we need three things Input, a sequence of instructions to process the input, and the last result of the algorithm.

For example – to make a recipe for making potato bonds we need a step-by-step process we first need the list of ingredients and then the making method and then the expected result will come.

Ingredients – Potatoes 250 grams, chopped onions, finely chopped green chilies, gram flour, oil for frying, water for the batter, salt, etc…

Algorithm Method

Method
Step 1: Boil potatoes till cooked peel and mash them until they are soft. 
Step 2: Mix fried onions, green chilies, and salt with the mashed potatoes. 
Step 3: Take little portions of the mixture and make small balls.
Step 4: Mix gram flour, water, and a little salt and beat well till a smooth and creamy batter is obtained. 
Step 5: Dip the potato balls in the batter. take out and deep fry in oil on a low fire.
Step 6: Take out when the balls are fried to a golden brown color. 

Result
Potato bonds are ready.

In the above example, the Ingredients work as an input. and the method is working as a sequence of instructions. and then the result comes out as our potato bonds are ready.

An algorithm has the following five basic characteristics.

First: an algorithm begins with instructions to accept inputs. these inputs are processed by the subsequence and sequence of instructions in the algorithm. 
Second: The sequence of instructions specified in the algorithms must be precise and unambiguous. and not be vague. 
Third: Each instruction must be sufficiently basic such that it can be carried out by a person with paper and pencil. 
Fourth: The total time consumed by the algorithm must be finite. 
Five: An algorithm must produce one or more outputs. 

let’s take another technical example.

A step-by-step procedure to find the average number of vowels in a passage.
Step 1: Let the number of characters = 0
Step 2: Let the number of vowels = 0
Step 3: Repeat Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7 until no more characters are left in the passage. 
Step 4: Read one character from the passage.
Step 5: Add 1 to a number of characters.
Step 6: If the character is any one of the letters A, E, I, O, U, a, e, I, o, u, add 1 to the number of vowels.
Step 7: Move to the next character. 
Step 8: Average Number of vowels = Number of vowels / Number of characters
Step 9: Write the average number of vowels and a number of characters.
Step 10: Stop.

A process only qualifies as an algorithm

• It has Input
• The sequence of instructions is precise.
• The total number of instructions is finite.
• The process needs to be terminated in any condition.
• There needs to be output. 

And in the above process to find the average number of vowels in a passage is an algorithm because it has a number of inputs and a finite number of sequences and instructions and terminates on a condition and has a sufficient output. 

Note: So I think now you understand what is an algorithm and why and where we use it. 

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