algorithm

Noun

Synonyms: algorithmic rule algorithmic program

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problemSynonyms: algorithmic rule algorithmic program

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Algorism \Al"go*rism\, Algorithm \Al"go*rithm\, n. [OE. algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf. Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar. al-Khow[=a]rezm[imac] of Khow[=a]rezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Mus[=a], author of a work on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. ? number.]

1.The art of calculating by nine figures and zero; computation with Arabic figures. [1913 Webster]

2.the Arabic system of numeration.

Syn: decimal system [WordNet 1.5]

3.The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc. [1913 Webster]

algorithm \algorithm\ n. a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem; a set of procedures guaranteed to find the solution to a problem.

Syn: algorithmic rule, algorithmic program [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

algorithm

<algorithm, programming> A detailed sequence of actions to perform to accomplish some task. Named after the Iranian, Islamic mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.

Technically, an algorithm must reach a result after a finite number of steps, thus ruling out brute force search methods for certain problems, though some might claim that brute force search was also a valid (generic) algorithm. The term is also used loosely for any sequence of actions (which may or may not terminate).

Paul E. Black's Dictionary of Algorithms, Data Structures, and Problems (http://nist.gov/dads/).

(2002-02-05)