Page 282 - Artificial Intellegence_v2.0_Class_9
P. 282

Display "Award given"
                      Otherwise
                       Display "No award"
        2.  Go up again till number of repeat is less than or equal to 10


                 Algorithm


        An algorithm is a step-by-step approach to identify and solve a problem in a finite time. It is used in a problem-
        solving phase of any programming task and helps in defining the clear instructions in sequence. An algorithm uses
        simple English-like statements to represent the steps of a program. There may be more than one way to solve any
        problem, so there may be more than one algorithm for a given problem. It must terminate after a finite number
        of steps. Once we have an algorithm, we can translate it into a computer program in any programming language.




                      Brainy Fact

             The word 'algorithm' come from the name of a Persian mathematician called Al-Khwārizmī.





        Writing an Algorithm
        Let us do an activity of writing an algorithm for making cucumber and tomato sandwich:

         Step 1   Take a few slices of tomato and a cucumber.

         Step 2   Take two slices of multigrain bread.

         Step 3   Put tomato sauce on one slice.
         Step 4   Put cheese spread on another slice.

         Step 5   Place a few slices of tomato and cucumber between the two slices of bread.

         Step 6   Cut it into two halves and serve it.


        Advantages of an Algorithm
        Advantages of an algorithm are as follows:
           • It is a step-by-step representation of a solution to a given problem.
           • It uses simple English-like statements so it is easy to understand and write.
           • The problem is  broken down  into smaller pieces, hence it is  easy to convert it into a program using any
           programming language.

        Disadvantages of an Algorithm

        Disadvantages of an algorithm are as follows:
           • Since there is no standard rule for writing an algorithm, it varies drastically.
           • It is a time-consuming process.
           • It is difficult to represent branching and looping in an algorithm.





              280     Touchpad Artificial Intelligence (Ver. 2.0)-IX
   277   278   279   280   281   282   283   284   285   286   287