algorithm
Step-by-step method
An algorithm is an ordered series of steps that can be carried out to achieve a result.
The term arose in the field of mathematics and is used today overwhelmingly in relation to computers, but any fixed sequence of actions can be described as an algorithm (such as the cooking instructions on a box of pasta).
Informal algorithm representation
- flowchartDiagram showing workflow steps
- subroutinePackaged callable code segment
- functionPurpose or duty
- iterationRepeated procedural pass
recursion · loop · implementation · stepwise · instruction · execution · branching · conditional
Mathematics of basic operations
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- computationMathematical processing work
- equationsMathematical equality statements
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
summation · factorial · exponentiation · logarithms · integration · differentiation · floating-point · precision
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- performanceCarrying out a task
- runtimeProgram execution duration
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- latencyDelay in system response
overhead · parallelism · concurrency · caching · bottleneck · profiling · trade-off · speedup
Arranging into sequence
- searchingLooking to find
- hashingOne-way data transformation
- greedyExcessively wanting more
- backtrackingReversing to find alternatives
brute-force · genetic · encryption · compression · pathfinding · clustering · classification · quicksort
Most unfavorable outcome imaginable
- best-caseMost favorable possible situation
- intractableImpossible to manage
- exponentialIncreasing by constant ratio
- polynomialExpression with variable terms
linear · quadratic · logarithmic · constant · asymptotic · amortized · tractable · decidable
Grammatical structure extraction
- tokenizationConverting input into discrete units
- stemmingRoot-form reduction process
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
- chatbotConversational AI program
pseudocode
Informal algorithm representation
- flowchartDiagram showing workflow steps
- subroutinePackaged callable code segment
- functionPurpose or duty
iteration · recursion · loop · implementation · stepwise · instruction · execution · branching · conditional · termination
arithmetic
Mathematics of basic operations
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- computationMathematical processing work
- equationsMathematical equality statements
variables · summation · factorial · exponentiation · logarithms · integration · differentiation · floating-point · precision · rounding
optimization
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- performanceCarrying out a task
- runtimeProgram execution duration
- throughputProcessing rate over time
latency · overhead · parallelism · concurrency · caching · bottleneck · profiling · trade-off · speedup · scalability
sorting
Arranging into sequence
backtracking · brute-force · genetic · encryption · compression · pathfinding · clustering · classification · quicksort · mergesort
worst-case
Most unfavorable outcome imaginable
- best-caseMost favorable possible situation
- intractableImpossible to manage
- exponentialIncreasing by constant ratio
polynomial · linear · quadratic · logarithmic · constant · asymptotic · amortized · tractable · decidable · reducibility
parsing
Grammatical structure extraction
- tokenizationConverting input into discrete units
- stemmingRoot-form reduction process
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
- mathematicsalgebra, arithmetic, calculus, geometry, number
- processingprocessing, batch processing, data processing, parallel processing, real-time processing
- YouTubegaming channels, vlog, vlogger, YouTube, beauty gurus
- Computing HistoryENIAC, UNIVAC, mainframe, mainframes, punch card
- game developmentgame engine, game design, game engines, game designer, rendering
- allocation methodslottery, quota, rationing, first come first served, merit-based
algorithmintuition
Instinctive immediate understanding
gut feeling · guesswork · improvisation · instinct · gut instinct
algorithmcreativity
Capacity for original thought
imagination · inspiration · artistic vision · emotional intelligence · wisdom
algorithmchaos
Complete disorder and confusion
randomness · disorder · entropy · unpredictability · chance
- search algorithmsSystematic data-finding procedures
- Dijkstra's algorithmShortest path computation method
- algorithmic tradingComputer-driven market transactions
- algorithmic biasSystematic unfairness in automated decisions
- learning algorithmSelf-improving computational process
- genetic algorithmOptimization mimicking natural selection