An algorithm is a well-defined, step-by-step procedure or set of rules for solving a specific problem or performing a particular task. A key characteristic of an algorithm is that it must be finite, meaning it must terminate after a certain number of steps, and each step must be precisely defined and unambiguous. Algorithms are the building blocks of computer programs and are used to process data, perform calculations, and automate reasoning. They take a set of inputs and produce a desired output, providing a clear and repeatable method for achieving a goal. Examples of algorithms range from simple sorting and searching procedures to complex machine learning models that can recognize patterns in vast amounts of data.
The term "algorithm" is derived from the name of the 9th-century Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who is often credited with introducing the decimal system and algebra to Europe. His book on arithmetic, which was translated into Latin as "Algoritmi de numero Indorum," introduced the concept of a systematic procedure for solving mathematical problems. While the concept of a step-by-step procedure has existed for centuries, the modern formalization of the algorithm emerged in the early 20th century. Mathematicians like Alan Turing, with his concept of the Turing machine, and Alonzo Church, with his lambda calculus, provided the theoretical foundations for the field of computation and helped to define what can be computed algorithmically.
Algorithms are ubiquitous in modern technology, from search engines and social media feeds to financial trading and scientific research. The development of efficient algorithms has been a key driver of progress in computing and has enabled the solution of complex problems in various fields.