Algorithm Library

Introduction

An algorithm is expressed as a set of steps. By describing the actions at each step, we instruct the computer to do something. Usually, we can use natural language to describe the actions performed at each step.

Consider this simple description:

• Enter one integer.
• Enter another integer.
• Compare both integers and return the maximum value.
• Compare both integers and return the minimum value.

If we need to find the minimum and maximum, we can either write our own general algorithms or use the prewritten algorithms from the algorithm template library available in C++.

An algorithm acts like a route that takes us from a problem to a solution. Many high-level languages come with their own algorithm libraries. They do so for one reason: any system of counting or calculation by means of a device like a computer involves following steps or directions. Computer scientists use the word “algorithm” to describe a set of directions.

In some cases, these directions could be simple, as described above. In most cases, it’s much more complex. For complex cases, we need help from the algorithm library. Otherwise, we have to do the low-level plumbing, which is much more time-consuming, and that takes us away from building other important parts of any application.

Let’s see two code snippets in C++ to understand why we need an algorithm library. It’s a component of the ...