What is an algorithm?

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Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 08 Apr 2005 15:00 PDT

Hi bonified,

I noticed the category you placed this
in. Are you looking for a contextual
answer, perhaps related to something 
that you read or saw? Or just a general 
overview of what an algorithm is. 

Please note, a general answer might 
not be specific enough to your 
particular interest in this case.

thanks,
-AI

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Clarification of Question by bonified-ga on 10 Apr 2005 07:08 PDT

I saw a new device. Some M.I.T. student designed a wake-up alarm
device that, when activated,would then because of its design,.. roll
away. because of its algorithmic program, this device will then seek a
place where both wheels are made inopperable, say in a corner under
the dresser, all the while signaling the snoozing owner with its
annoying alarm, Thus prompting the owner to rise and punch the damned
thing out. Once found....

I think I have the answer you are looking for.

At Merriam-Webster http://merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=algorithm&x=21&y=16
an algorithm is described as "a step-by-step procedure for solving a
problem or accomplishing some end especially by a computer"

At AskOxford http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dict&field-12668446=algorithmic&branch=13842570&textsearchtype=exact&sortorder=score%2Cname
an algorithm is described as "a process or set of rules used in
calculations or other problem-solving operations"

At DictionaryWords http://web.ask.com/redir?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftm.wc.ask.com%2Fr%3Ft%3Dan%26s%3Da%26sv%3Dza5cb0db0%26uid%3D0BAD8C56BD2F49524%26sid%3D1DF0006A4910E3624%26o%3D0%26qid%3D8EBE5C9AE3212B429AB047F5060CED14%26io%3D1%26ask%3DDefinition%2Bof%2BAlgorithmic%2Bprogram%26uip%3D44e48bad%26en%3Dte%26eo%3D-100%26pt%3Dalgorithmic%2520program%2520-%2520Definition%2520of%2520algorithmic%2520program%2520-
...%26ac%3D24%26qs%3D1%26pg%3D1%26ep%3D1%26te_par%3D153%26te_id%3D%26u%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.dictionarywords.net%252ffind%252fword%252falgorithmic%252bprogram%252f&bpg=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.ask.com%2Fweb%3Fq%3DDefinition%2Bof%2BAlgorithmic%2Bprogram%26o%3D0%26page%3D1&q=Definition%20of%20Algorithmic%20program&s=a&bu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.dictionarywords.net%2ffind%2fword%2falgorithmic%2bprogram%2f&qte=0&
o=0&abs=...algorithmic%20program%20-%20Definition%20of%20algorithmic%20program%20-%20algorithmic%20program%20in%20Encyclopedia%20-%20DictionaryWords.net...&tit=algorithmic%20program%20-%20Definition%20of%20algorithmic%20program%20-...&bin=&cat=wb&purl=http%3A%2F%2Ftm.wc.ask.com%2Fi%2Fb.html%3Ft%3Dan%26s%3Da%26uid%3D0BAD8C56BD2F49524%26sid%3D1DF0006A4910E3624%26qid%3D8EBE5C9AE3212B429AB047F5060CED1
4%26io%3D%26sv%3Dza5cb0db0%26o%3D0%26ask%3DDefinition%2Bof%2BAlgorithmic%2Bprogram%26uip%3D44e48bad%26en%3Dbm%26eo%3D-100%26pt%3D%26ac%3D3%26qs%3D1%26pg%3D1%26u%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fmyjeeves.ask.com%2Faction%2Fsnip&Complete=1
an algorithm is described as "a precise rule (or set of rules)
specifying how to solve some problem"

I hope that helps.