What is an Algorithm

Algorithm

About Algorithm

What is an Algorithm

Algorithm refers to a set of rules and instructions that defines how a task is to be executed upon in order to get the expected results. Algorithm defines the output based on set of rules that applies to input data. Therefore, it is important to define input and output before setting the rules and instructions for the algorithm to work. In cases where the input is not defined properly, the algorithm sometime delivers inconsistent output results.
?
Let’s take example of a smartphone to understand how algorithm works:
?
In auto brightness mode, the smartphone’s display adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient light conditions. In dark environment, the screen dims down the brightness. It boosts the brightness in bright light conditions. This is a work of algorithm. The input here is ambient lighting. Algorithm is a set of instructions that modifies smartphone's system settings to change display brightness levels. Output is screen brightness, which changes with environment.
?
Algorithm design is language-independent, i.e. they are set of instructions that can be implemented in any language. Importantly, it yields similar results irrespective of the language it is executed in.
?
Algorithms are essential to the way computers process data. Many computer programs contain algorithms that detail the specific instructions a computer should perform—in a specific order—to carry out a specified task, such as calculating employees' pay checks or printing students' report cards.
?

Latest Updates on Algorithm

What algorithms can do

5 min read Last Updated :Feb 19 2024 | 11:05 PM IST
Image
The mind is mightier than the algorithm

6 min read Last Updated :Feb 11 2024 | 10:07 PM IST
Image
Google anti-trust trial spotlights internal dispute over algorithm vs data

4 min read Last Updated :Sep 14 2023 | 10:12 AM IST
Image
Social media may not be polarising society in ways public thinks: Study

5 min read Last Updated :Jul 28 2023 | 7:38 PM IST
Image
Analysis of Meta's algorithms shows that misinformation has no easy fix

6 min read Last Updated :Jul 28 2023 | 6:55 AM IST
Image
Here's how Instagram algorithm works for stories, feed, reels, explore

3 min read Last Updated :Jun 01 2023 | 9:20 PM IST
Image
Twitter to open source its algorithm next week, improve it rapidly: Musk

1 min read Last Updated :Feb 22 2023 | 10:07 AM IST
Image
Twitter to soon let users adjust algorithm to their 'closer match': Musk

2 min read Last Updated :Feb 18 2023 | 11:16 AM IST
Image
Twitter's 'current top priority' is to fix recommendation algorithm: Musk

1 min read Last Updated :Feb 15 2023 | 9:25 AM IST
Image
TCS pushes the pedal to get self-driving cars on road with new algorithms

4 min read Last Updated :Jan 05 2023 | 11:44 PM IST
Image
How immersive technology is transforming fashion and online shopping

5 min read Last Updated :Oct 30 2022 | 7:40 PM IST
Image
Using tech to crack down on insider trading: Sebi's Madhabi Puri Buch

5 min read Last Updated :Oct 28 2022 | 10:27 PM IST
Image
Volume IconWhat is algorithmic trading?

3 min read Last Updated :Sep 27 2022 | 7:00 AM IST
Image
LinkedIn ran social experiments on over 20 million users for 5 years

3 min read Last Updated :Sep 25 2022 | 10:22 PM IST
Image
Samsung sued for algo that predicts phone's remaining battery life: Report

2 min read Last Updated :Jun 10 2022 | 1:32 PM IST
Image
I'm a bot & so's my wife, says Elon Musk amid Twitter takeover drama

2 min read Last Updated :May 16 2022 | 12:04 PM IST
Image
Elon Musk's plans for Twitter may cause more algorithmic harms than before

6 min read Last Updated :Apr 26 2022 | 10:42 AM IST
Image
TikTok to tweak its 'For You Page' algorithm to avoid problematic content

2 min read Last Updated :Dec 17 2021 | 12:09 PM IST
Image
Here are the inner workings of YouTube recommendation engine's accuracy

3 min read Last Updated :Oct 20 2021 | 7:21 PM IST
Image
Facebook whistleblower to say former employer an 'urgent threat' to US

1 min read Last Updated :Oct 05 2021 | 11:14 PM IST
Image
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news
news