Algorithm

To make a computer do anything, you have to write a computer program. To write a computer program, you have to tell the computer, step by step, exactly what you want it to do. The computer then "executes" the program, following each step mechanically, to accomplish the end goal. When you are telling the computer what to do, you also get to choose how it's going to do it. That's where computer algorithms come in. The algorithm is the basic technique used to get the job done.

An algorithm is a well-defined procedure that allows a computer to solve a problem.  It is a procedure for solving a problem. Another way to describe an algorithm is a sequence of instructions to solve a problem.An algorithm should always have a clear stopping point.

Algorithm is not the computer code. Algorithm are just the instructions which gives clear idea to you idea to write the computer code.

Qualities of a good algorithm
  • Inputs and outputs should be defined precisely.
  • Each steps in algorithm should be clear and unambiguous.
  • Algorithm should be most effective among many different ways to solve a problem.
  • An algorithm shouldn't have computer code. Instead, the algorithm should be written in such a way that, it can be used in similar programming languages.
Example 1. Write an algorithm to add two numbers entered by user.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables num1, num2 and sum.
Step 3: Read values num1 and num2.
Step 4: Add num1 and num2 and assign the result to sum.
        sum←num1+num2
Step 5: Display sum
Step 6: Stop
 

Example 2. Write an algorithm to find the largest among three different numbers entered by user.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables a,b and c.
Step 3: Read variables a,b and c.
Step 4: If a>b
           If a>c
              Display a is the largest number.
           Else
              Display c is the largest number.
        Else
           If b>c
              Display b is the largest number.
           Else
              Display c is the greatest number. 
Step 5: Stop
 

Example 3. Write an algorithm to find all roots of a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c=0.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables a, b, c, D, x1, x2, rp and ip;
Step 3: Calculate discriminant
         D←b2-4ac
Step 4: If D≥0
              r1←(-b+√D)/2a
              r2←(-b-√D)/2a
              Display r1 and r2 as roots.
        Else    
              Calculate real part and imaginary part
              rp←b/2a
              ip←√(-D)/2a
              Display rp+j(ip) and rp-j(ip) as roots
Step 5: Stop        

      
Example 4. Write an algorithm to find the factorial of a number entered by user.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables n,factorial and i.
Step 3: Initialize variables
          factorial←1
          i←1
Step 4: Read value of n
Step 5: Repeat the steps until i=n
     5.1: factorial←factorial*i
     5.2: i←i+1
Step 6: Display factorial
Step 7: Stop
 

Example 5.Write an algorithm to check whether a number entered by user is prime or not.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables n,i,flag.
Step 3: Initialize variables
        flag←1
        i←2 
Step 4: Read n from user.
Step 5: Repeat the steps until i<(n/2)
     5.1 If remainder of n÷i equals 0
            flag←0
            Go to step 6
     5.2 i←i+1
Step 6: If flag=0
           Display n is not prime
        else
           Display n is prime
Step 7: Stop
 

Example 6. Write an algorithm to find the Fibonacci series till term≤1000.

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables first_term,second_term and temp.
Step 3: Initialize variables first_term←0 second_term←1
Step 4: Display first_term and second_term
Step 5: Repeat the steps until second_term≤1000
     5.1: temp←second_term
     5.2: second_term←second_term+first term
     5.3: first_term←temp
     5.4: Display second_term
Step 6: Stop





Visit My Blog: vinay-kumar-saini.blogspot.com/