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What is an Algorithm | Introduction to Algorithms

Algorithms: In this tutorial, we will learn about algorithms, what is an algorithm, its properties, notations, and examples. By Mansha Lamba Last updated : August 12, 2023

Algorithms are an integral part of the development world. Before starting coding of any software first an effective algorithm is designed to get desired outputs. In this article, we will understand what are algorithms, characteristics of algorithms, some examples of famous algorithms, Types of algorithms etc..

Let's get started with the tutorial on algorithms.

What is an Algorithm?

It is a combination of a sequence of finite steps to solve a particular problem. or, It is a well-defined procedure which takes zero or more input and must produce at least one output to solve a particular problem.

Properties/Characteristics of Algorithms

The following are the main properties/characteristics of algorithms:

• Input: It may take zero or more input.
• Output: It must produce at least one output.
• Definiteness (Unambiguous): Every step in algorithm should be well defined, unique, precise.
• Finiteness (Limited): Every algorithm should contain a finite number of steps and should produce a result infinite amount of time.
• Effectiveness: Operations used in algorithm must be simple and easy to understand.
• Language independent.

Note:

• An algorithm is a step by step procedure to solve a particular problem whereas a program is an algorithm that is encoded in any programming language.
• Program is language dependent and algorithm is language independent.

Notation of an Algorithm

1. Name of the algorithm: It should specify the problem to be solved.
2. Step no.: It is an identification tag ( step numbering ) that specify the numbering of steps/statements. It is a positive integer.
3. Explanatory comments: It is used to specify the meaning of instruction that is used in the algorithm. It is used to understand the logic of operations by the use of [ ] for comments in the algorithm.
4. Termination: Generally it is a STOP statement and the last statement of an algorithm that denoted ending of the algorithm.

Algorithm Example

Algorithm for addition of two numbers:

ADD( A , B )

Step 1: Read A,B
Step 2: sum=A+B [ A & B are added and their value is stored in sum ]
Step 3: PRINT 'Sum of A & B =', sum
Step 4: STOP

This is an algorithm, the corresponding program will be different for different languages like for C language it is

Algorithm implementation using C language

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int num1, num2, opt;

    printf("Enter the first Integer:\n");
    scanf("%d", &num1);
    printf("Enter the second Integer:\n");
    scanf("%d", &num2);
    printf("Enter an correct option -> 1:addition 2: subtraction 3: multiplication 4: division -> \n");
    scanf("%d", &opt);

    switch (opt) {
    case 1:
        printf("\nAddition of  %d and %d is: %d", num1, num2, num1 + num2);
        break;

    case 2:
        printf("\nSubstraction of %d  and %d is:  %d", num1, num2, num1 - num2);
        break;

    case 3:
        printf("\nMultiplication of %d  and %d is:  %d", num1, num2, num1 * num2);
        break;

    case 4:
        if (num2 == 0) {
            printf("OOps Devide by zero\n");
        }
        else {
            printf("\n Division of %d  and %d is:  %d", num1, num2, num1 / num2);
        }
        break;

    default:
        printf("\n Enter correct option\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Output

Enter the first Integer: 10
Enter the second Integer: 20
Enter an correct option -> 1:addition 2: subtraction 3: multiplication 4: division ->  3

Multiplication of 10  and 20 is:  200

Types of Algorithms

1. Divide and conquer algorithm
2. Greedy algorithm
3. Dynamic programming
4. Branch and bound algorithm
5. Back Tracking
6. Simple Recursive algorithm
7. Randomized algorithm
8. Brute force algorithm