Algorithms

[JWHooper]

I know that algorithms are for step-by-step functions. But, I want to know more good definitions of algorithms.

Thanks,

J.

[Tony]

Well Wikipedia defines an algorithm as

Quote:

In mathematics, computing, linguistics, and related disciplines, an algorithm is a finite list of well-defined instructions for accomplishing some task that, given an initial state, will terminate in a defined end-state.

So it doesn't have to be a function, or step-by-step even. For example, there are parallel and distributed algorithms as well.

[rdrake]

Quote:

The calculations made by search engine software that determine how a website is ranked within a search result list. Each search engine will use a different set of algorithms (which are closely guarded secrets) and factors such as a website's title, body copy, meta-tags and link popularity may be important in achieving a high search engine ranking.

http://www.websearchworkshop.co.uk/glossary.htm

Quote:

Formulas of instructions and directions as to how the information gathered by the spider is to be used to rank a web page on that particular search engine. Each search engine has it?s own unique algorithms which is why a page may rank high on one search engine while ranking low on another.

http://rwic.com/definitions.html

Quote:

A step-by-step problem-solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps.

http://www.tcdesign.net/fractalpp_glossary.htm

Quote:

A mathematical equation that produces in a fixed number of steps the answer the answer to a question or the solution to a problem.

http://www.nuhorizons.com/Glossary/BasicElecConcepts.html

Quote:

A class of learning methods, based on the idea of comparing temporally successive predictions. Possibly the single most fundamental idea in all of reinforcement learning.

http://www-anw.cs.umass.edu/rlr/terms.html

Quote:

A set of rules (software application) that a search engine uses to rank the listings contained within its index, in response to a particular query.

http://www.anduro.com/glossary.html

Quote:

Line simplification algorithms have been developed over the years for the purpose of 'weeding out' redundant or unnecessary coordinate information from line features, whilst retaining the perceptual characteristics of the line. They generally work via the application of some geometric criterion to a line's coordinate pairs (such as distance between points or displacement from a centre-line). (for more on line simplification go to the Line Generalisation module)

http://www.sli.unimelb.edu.au/gisweb/glossary.htm

Quote:

A programmed set of mathematical formulas developed for a computer environment to perform a specific function.

http://www.bitcentral.com/mainweb/support/glossary.asp

Quote:

Algorithms are routines to deal with particular situations; for example, a controller formula to correct an element in a continuous process.

http://dereng.com/tlas_glossary.htm

Quote:

Up: Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia Up: Topics Up: Concepts Up: Cryptography Prev: Cryptography Next: Hash Functions Algorithms Cryptographic algorithms form the core of any cryptosystem. Hash Functions Block Ciphers Public Key Ciphers Other algorithms Next: Hash Functions Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia Algorithms

http://ie.activedomain.org/136.htm

Quote:

A formula or set of steps for solving a particular problem. To be an algorithm, a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear stopping point. American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)- ASCII is the international standard and it is the most common format for text files in computers and on the Internet. There are 128 possible characters are defined and correspond to all upper and lower-case Latin characters, numbers, and punctuation marks. ...

http://victoria.astonishingportal.com/electronicportfolio/addingvideo/videowebsite/technoglossary.html

Quote:

a mechanical procedure for performing a given calculation or solving a problem through step-by-step procedures such as those used in long division

http://www.csdsac.org/Curriculum/mathglossary.htm

Quote:

An algorithm (the word is derived from the name of the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi), is a finite set of well-defined instructions for accomplishing some task which, given an initial state, will terminate in a corresponding recognizable end-state (contrast with heuristic). Algorithms can be implemented by computer programs, although often in restricted forms; an error in the design of an algorithm for solving a problem can lead to failures in the implementing program.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlgorithmS

Yup.

[Zampano]

Algorithm:
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