What is Algorithm?
An algorithm is a set of instructions for carrying out a particular task. ( The task does not necessarily has to be related to programming, although the word algorithm is usually used in terms of programming.) Unlike a program, which must be expressed in a form suitable for processing by a computer, an algorithm can be expressed in whatever form is convenient for a person to understand. Every correct algorithm comes with a guarantee that, if followed the instructions correctly, the particular task will be accomplished. For an algorithm to live up to the guarantee, every algorithm must have the following characteristics:
- An algorithm must be precise. Each step in an algorithm must state unambiguosly what action is to be taken.
- An algorithm must be effective. It must be possible to actually carry out every step of the algorithm.
- An algorithm must have a fixed, finite number of instructions.
- The execution of the algorithm must always terminate .
Different programming languages support different styles of programming (called Programming Paradigms). The choice of language used is subject to many considerations, such as company policy, suitability to task, availability of third-party packages, or individual preference.
Programming Paradigms:
A programming paradigm is a fundamental style of computer programming. Different programming languages adovate different programming paradigms. Some languages are designed to support one particular paradigm (Smalltalk supports object-oriented programming, Haskell supports functional programming), while other programming languages support multiple paradigms (such as Object Pascal, C++, C#, Visual Basic, Common Lisp, Scheme, Python, Ruby & Oz).
For more information on types of programming paradgims, visit : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm
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