Algorithms

What is an Algorithm?

An algorithm is a series of steps which we follow in order to accomplish a specific goal or set of goals.

Examples

Washing Your Hair - Here are the simple steps we follow when washing our hair.
  1. Rinse
  2. Shampoo
  3. Rinse
  4. Repeat (as many times as we want to wash/condition our hair)

Making an Egg and Cheese Omelet
  1. Get the eggs, cheese, and frying pan
  2. Place the pan on the burner and turn it on
  3. Place the eggs on the frying pan
  4. Add cheese
  5. Cook until ready
  6. Serve/eat

Project #1

Think about the steps you are using in order to write your first program. You must setup a computer (whether your own or using a campus computer and your gatorlink account) to compile and run C programs. You can begin implementing (writing) the program. However, you have a problem without as many specific instructions. I have asked you to print out your name, place to visit, and championship year. You have to determine how this can be done in C. When projects are assigned, I will give you all the steps you need to complete the project, sometimes I will be specific (the project submission instructions, setting up your computer to compile programs, etc) and sometimes I will give you a goal and let you figure out the specifics based on our lecture discussion (I told you to print out your name, we discussed how to print from a C program in lecture).