Algorithm

abstract · Technology · Level 5 · E10

Each concept here is mapped to its prerequisites — the ideas you'd need first to understand it — all the way down to four foundations: Space, Time, Energy, Pattern. Click any prerequisite to drill down, or scroll for the chain graph.

Trace. Question. Emerge.

Emergence definition

An algorithm is a self-contained sequence of operations that relies on logical reasoning and pattern recognition to produce a predictable outcome within a technological system, building upon the organized arrangement of interrelated parts that work together over time, and a spatially-organized sequence of actions that involves logical reasoning to structure the sequence of operations.

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Wiktionary senses

External reference — all senses of the word “algorithm” on Wiktionary. This atlas concept maps to only the slice of meaning relevant to the prerequisite graph.

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Source: Wiktionary — “algorithm”. Content available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Historical origin

Origin language: English

Prerequisite chain

Possible path of this concept down to the fundamental substrate.

Neighborhood

Direct prerequisites above, concepts that depend on this one below.

In other languages

Algorithmus German
algorithm English primary

Prerequisites

What you need to understand first.

Procedure L1 (requires)

An algorithm is a pre-defined, step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or performing a computation, relying on logical reasoning and pattern recognition to produce a predictable outcome within a technological system.
System L3 (requires) systems-theory sense

Technology concepts are part of systems.
Logic L4 (requires)

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, requiring logical reasoning to structure the sequence of operations.

Used by

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