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, 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 E. Black.

Entry modified Fri Dec 17 12:27:39 2004.
HTML page formatted Wed Oct 26 09:47:09 2005.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "algorithm", from Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures, Paul E. Black, ed., NIST.
http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/algorithm.html