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Mastering Algorithms for Problem Solving in Java

What is an Algorithm?

Explore the definition and characteristics of an algorithm, including a practical example and its historical background. Understand how algorithms are precise, unambiguous instructions designed to solve specific problems, and discover the origins of the term from early mathematical practices.

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Algorithm

An algorithm is an explicit, precise, unambiguous, mechanically-executable sequence of elementary instructions, usually intended to accomplish a specific purpose. For example, here is an algorithm for singing that annoying song “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” for arbitrary values of 99:

Algorithm

BottlesofBeer(n)‾    For i←n down to 1Sing “i bottles of beer on the wall, i bottles of beer,”Sing “Take one down, pass it around, i−1 bottles of beer on the wall.”Sing “No bottles of beer on the wall, no bottles of beer,”Sing “Go to the store, buy some more, n bottles of beer on the wall.”\underline{Bottles of Beer(n)} \\ \space\space\space\space For\space i ←n\space down\space to\space 1\\ \hspace{1cm} Sing\space “i\space bottles\space of\space beer\space on\space the\space wall,\space i\space bottles\space of\space beer,” \\ ...