Algorithm

1)A set of ordered steps for solving a problem, such as a mathematical formula or the instructions in a program. The terms algorithm and "program logic" are synonymous as both refer to a sequence of steps to solve a problem. However, an algorithm often implies a more complex problem rather than the input-process-output logic of typical business software.
2)In its purest sense, an algorithm is a mathematical process to solve a problem using a finite number of steps.

In the world of computers, an algorithm is the set of instructions that defines not just what needs to be done but how to do it.

As can be expected, there are numerous types of algorithms for virtually every kind of mathematical problem there is to solve. There are:

Numerical algorithms.

Algebraic algorithms.

Geometric algorithms.

Sequential algorithms.

Operational algorithms.

Theoretical algorithms.

There are also various algorithms named after the leading mathematicians who invented them:

Shor’s algorithm.

Girvan-Newman algorithm.

Several Euclidian algorithms.

There are also those named after the specific problem they solve, such as:

Bidirectional search algorithm.

K-way merge algorithm.

In the computing field, most algorithms tend to solve data management and analysis problems.