16 Questions
What does the word 'Algorithm' mean?
A set of rules to solve a problem
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an algorithm?
Platform Dependent
What is the primary difference between an algorithm and a program?
An algorithm is a design phase, while a program is an implementation phase
What is the main focus of computational complexity theory?
Estimating the resources required by an algorithm
What does time complexity of an algorithm measure?
The amount of time taken by an algorithm
Which of the following is a characteristic of a program?
Needs specific hardware and software
What is the purpose of algorithm analysis?
To estimate the resources required by an algorithm
What is the main difference between an algorithm and a program in terms of hardware and software?
An algorithm can use any hardware and software
What is the primary goal of algorithm analysis?
To estimate the resources required by an algorithm
Which of the following is a characteristic of a well-defined algorithm?
It is finite and feasible
What is the primary difference between a program and an algorithm?
An algorithm is developed during the implementation phase, while a program is developed during the design phase
What is measured by the time complexity of an algorithm?
The amount of time taken by the algorithm as a function of the input size
Why is it important for an algorithm to be language-independent?
So that it can be implemented in multiple languages
What is the primary focus of computational complexity theory?
To measure the time and space complexity of an algorithm
Why is it important for an algorithm to have well-defined inputs and outputs?
So that the algorithm can produce the expected results
What is the main objective of designing an algorithm?
To solve a specific computational problem efficiently
Study Notes
What is Algorithm?
- An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations.
- It refers to a set of rules/instructions that step-by-step define how a work is to be executed to get the expected results.
Characteristics of an Algorithm
- Clear and Unambiguous: Algorithm should be clear and unambiguous.
- Well-Defined Inputs: Algorithm should have well-defined inputs.
- Well-Defined Outputs: Algorithm must clearly define what output will be yielded and it should be well-defined.
- Finite-ness: Algorithm must end.
- Feasible: Algorithm must be simple, generic, and practical, executable with available resources.
- Language Independent: Algorithm designed must be language-independent, implementable in any language with the same output.
Difference between a Program and Algorithm
- Algorithm is done on design phase, while a program is done on implementation phase.
- Algorithm is written by a knowledge worker, while a program is developed by a programmer.
- Algorithm can use any language, whereas a program is created using a programming language.
- Algorithm can use any hardware and software, whereas a program needs a specific hardware and software.
- Algorithm is analyzed, while a program is tested.
Algorithm Analysis
- An important part of computational complexity theory, providing theoretical estimation for the required resources of an algorithm to solve a specific computational problem.
- Complexity theory measures the amount of computing resources (time and space) consumed by an algorithm.
Time and Space Complexity
- Time complexity of an algorithm quantifies the amount of time taken to run as a function of the length of the input.
- Space complexity of an algorithm quantifies the amount of space or memory taken to run as a function of the length of the input.
Calculating Time Complexity
- Break down the algorithm FUNCTION into individual operations.
- Calculate the Big O of each operation.
- Add up the Big O of each operation together.
- Remove the constants.
- Find the highest order term.
Divide and Conquer
- Divide the problem into smaller sub-problems.
- Solve each sub-problem independently.
- Merge the solution of all sub-problems to obtain the solution of the original problem.
What is Algorithm?
- An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations.
- It refers to a set of rules/instructions that step-by-step define how a work is to be executed to get the expected results.
Characteristics of an Algorithm
- Clear and Unambiguous: Algorithm should be clear and unambiguous.
- Well-Defined Inputs: Algorithm should have well-defined inputs.
- Well-Defined Outputs: Algorithm must clearly define what output will be yielded and it should be well-defined.
- Finite-ness: Algorithm must end.
- Feasible: Algorithm must be simple, generic, and practical, executable with available resources.
- Language Independent: Algorithm designed must be language-independent, implementable in any language with the same output.
Difference between a Program and Algorithm
- Algorithm is done on design phase, while a program is done on implementation phase.
- Algorithm is written by a knowledge worker, while a program is developed by a programmer.
- Algorithm can use any language, whereas a program is created using a programming language.
- Algorithm can use any hardware and software, whereas a program needs a specific hardware and software.
- Algorithm is analyzed, while a program is tested.
Algorithm Analysis
- An important part of computational complexity theory, providing theoretical estimation for the required resources of an algorithm to solve a specific computational problem.
- Complexity theory measures the amount of computing resources (time and space) consumed by an algorithm.
Time and Space Complexity
- Time complexity of an algorithm quantifies the amount of time taken to run as a function of the length of the input.
- Space complexity of an algorithm quantifies the amount of space or memory taken to run as a function of the length of the input.
Calculating Time Complexity
- Break down the algorithm FUNCTION into individual operations.
- Calculate the Big O of each operation.
- Add up the Big O of each operation together.
- Remove the constants.
- Find the highest order term.
Divide and Conquer
- Divide the problem into smaller sub-problems.
- Solve each sub-problem independently.
- Merge the solution of all sub-problems to obtain the solution of the original problem.
Learn about the definition and characteristics of an algorithm, including clarity, well-defined inputs, and finiteness.
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