Algorithms #
An algorithm is a sequence of steps to accomplish something.
Example:
- Boil 6 cups of water in pot
- Stir in macaroni, boil 6 to 8 minutes
- drain, do not rinse, return to pot
- add 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup milk, and cheese sauce mix
- mix well
Ambiguity?
Textbook definition of algorithm:
A well-orderecd collection of unabigiously and effectively computable operations that, when executed, produces a result and halts in a finite amount of time.
- Well-ordered collection?
- Effectively computable?
- Produces a result?
- Halts in finite time?
