Algorithm

Programming

A step-by-step procedure or set of rules designed to solve a specific problem or perform a particular task in programming and computer science.

What is an Algorithm?

Definition

An algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions that can be executed by a computer to solve a problem or complete a task. It's like a recipe that tells the computer exactly what steps to follow.

Key Characteristics

Finite: Must terminate after a finite number of steps
Definite: Each step must be clearly defined
Input: Takes zero or more inputs
Output: Produces at least one output
Effective: Steps must be basic enough to be carried out

Common Algorithm Examples

Binary Search Algorithm

Efficiently finds a target value in a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half.

function binarySearch(arr, target) {
    let left = 0;
    let right = arr.length - 1;
    
    while (left <= right) {
        let mid = Math.floor((left + right) / 2);
        
        if (arr[mid] === target) {
            return mid;
        } else if (arr[mid] < target) {
            left = mid + 1;
        } else {
            right = mid - 1;
        }
    }
    
    return -1; // Target not found
}

Algorithm Complexity

Time Complexity

Measures how the runtime of an algorithm grows with input size. Common complexities include:

O(1): Constant time
O(log n): Logarithmic time
O(n): Linear time
O(n²): Quadratic time

Space Complexity

Measures how much additional memory an algorithm uses relative to input size. Important for optimizing memory usage in applications.

Career Impact

Understanding algorithms is crucial for:

Software Engineering: $95,000 - $180,000 annually
Data Science: $100,000 - $200,000 annually
Machine Learning Engineering: $120,000 - $250,000 annually
Technical Interviews: Essential for FAANG companies