What is an Algorithm?
From sorting a playlist to recommending a movie, algorithms are the invisible engines of our digital world. Let's take a journey down the digital assembly line to see how they work.
The Input: Raw Materials
Every algorithm starts with something to work on. This is the **Input**, or the "raw materials." It can be a list of numbers to sort, a photo to analyze, or millions of customer data points.
The Process: A Step-by-Step Recipe
This is the algorithm itself. To make it concrete, let's use the analogy of a recipe.
Analogy: The PB&J Algorithm
An algorithm is simply a step-by-step set of instructions for completing a task.
Ingredients (The Data)
- 2 Slices of Bread
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
Instructions (The Algorithm)
Lay two slices of bread flat on a surface.
Spread peanut butter evenly on one slice.
Spread jelly evenly on the other slice.
Place the two slices together, spreads facing inward.
The Translation: From Recipe to Code
Computers follow the same logic, but their "recipe" is written in code.
function make_sandwich(bread1, bread2, pb, jelly) {
spread(bread1, pb);
spread(bread2, jelly);
return combine(bread1, bread2);
}
The Output: The Finished Product
After the process is complete, you get the **Output**. It's the sorted list, the tag on the photo, or the movie recommendation. The input has been transformed into a useful result.