Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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algorithm [(al-guh-rith-uhm)]
A set of instructions for solving a problem, especially on a computer. An algorithm for finding your total grocery bill, for example, would direct you to add up the costs of individual items to find the total.
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Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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algorithm
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algorithm al·go·rithm (āl'gə-rĭ&phonth;'əm)
n.
A step-by-step protocol, as for management of health care problems.
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algorithm (āl'gə-rĭ 'əm) Pronunciation Key
A finite set of unambiguous instructions performed in a prescribed sequence to achieve a goal, especially a mathematical rule or procedure used to compute a desired result. Algorithms are the basis for most computer programming. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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algorithm algorithm, programming
A detailed sequence of actions to perform to accomplish some task. Named after the Iranian, Islamic mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.
Technically, an algorithm must reach a result after a finite number of steps, thus ruling out brute force search methods for certain problems, though some might claim that brute force search was also a valid (generic) algorithm. The term is also used loosely for any sequence of actions (which may or may not terminate).
Paul E. Black's Dictionary of Algorithms, Data Structures, and Problems.
(2002-02-05)
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