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What does "algorithm" mean in programming?

algorithm is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

A finite sequence of well-defined instructions for solving a problem. Algorithms are evaluated on their time complexity (how long they take) and space complexity (how much memory they use).

Example

"The search algorithm runs in O(log n) time because it uses a binary search."

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