Computer Programming

What is an algorithm?

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 Algorithm

• An Algorithm is :
• a recipe
• a set of instructions
• directions
• rules of a game
• a computer program

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 An example

• How to compute the Greatest Common

Divisor (GCD).

• The GCD of X and Y is the largest number

that divides exactly into X and divides exactly
into Y

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 GCD Algorithm

• As long as X and Y are unequal subtract the

smaller number from the bigger one.

• When both X and Y are equal, that is the

GCD.

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 GCD Example

• Let:
• X = 148
• Y = 259

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 GCD Result

• X • Y

• 148 • 259

• 148 • 111

• 37 • 111

• 37 • 74

• 37 • 37

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 Example 2

• Let :
• X = 624392601
• Y = 564719532
• Work out answer.....

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 A Problem

• The last problem was a bit big for a person to

work out.

• It not impossible to do, but it will take a long

time.

• This is the ideal type of work for a computer

program to do

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 Algorithm is the same

• The algorithm for this problem performs the

same tasks no matter the language.

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 Key Point

• The skills we learn on this course can be used

for every program you write (for ever).

• When you know how to program, learning a

new language is just learning new syntax.

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