Algorithm

hide

In mathematics, computing, linguistics, and related subjects, an algorithm is a finite sequence of instructions, an explicit, step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, often used for calculation and data processing. It is formally a type of effective method in which a list of well-defined instructions for completing a task, will when given an initial state, proceed through a well-defined series of successive states, eventually terminating in an end-state. The transition from one state to the next is not necessarily deterministic; some algorithms, known as probabilistic algorithms, incorporate randomness.

A partial formalization of the concept began with attempts to solve the Entscheidungsproblem (the "decision problem") posed by David Hilbert in 1928. Subsequent formalizations were framed as attempts to define "effective calculability" (Kleene 1943:274) or "effective method" (Rosser 1939:225); those formalizations included the Gödel-Herbrand-Kleene recursive functions of 1930, 1934 and 1935, Alonzo Church's lambda calculus of 1936, Emil Post's "Formulation 1" of 1936, and Alan Turing's Turing machines of 1936–7 and 1939.

For more information about Algorithm, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with algorithm

results timeline


Dwave processor

Google Collaborates with D-Wave on Possible Quantum Image Search

Physics / General Physics

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (21) | comments 5

(PhysOrg.com) -- Always on the cutting edge of new computing technologies, Google has recently announced that it is investigating the use of quantum computing schemes to achieve faster image recognition rates. ...


Hardware-accelerated global illumination by image space photon mapping

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (7) | comments 0

Research presented in a paper by Morgan McGuire, assistant professor of computer science at Williams College, and co-author Dr. David Luebke of NVIDIA, introduces a new algorithm to improve computer graphics for video games.


Slam dunk for future smart robots

Slam dunk for future smart robots

Electronics / Robotics

created Dec 14, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- 'What does the world look like' and 'where am I' are two questions robots must solve if they are to act autonomously in an unknown environment. Work by European researchers will help future ...


Caisson 3D Modeling Command Center

National Robotics Engineering Center Demonstrates the Future of Smart Work

Technology / Engineering

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

The National Robotics Engineering Center, (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is at the forefront of partnering man with technology to improve safety and costs. Among the completed projects are, the Caisson ...


Putting the squeeze on data

Putting the squeeze on data

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Data compression is one of the fundamental research areas in computer science, letting information systems do more with less. It’s the reason the iPod nano can hold thousands of songs instead ...


Power Rank

New Algorithm Ranks Sports Teams like Google's PageRank

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Sports fans may be interested in a new system that ranks NFL and college football teams in a simple, straightforward way, similar to how Google PageRank ranks webpages. The new sports algorithm, ...


Computer identifies authentic Van Gogh

Computer identifies authentic Van Gogh

Technology / Computer Sciences

created Dec 21, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Dutch researcher Igor Berezhnoy has developed computer algorithms to support art historians and other art experts in their visual assessment of paintings. His digital technology is capable ...