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CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD ALGORITHM
The main characteristics of a good algorithm are:
Precision: Each step is precisely defined.
Uniqueness: The result of each step can be uniquely identified and only depends on the
result of the preceding step.
Finiteness: It stops after a finite number of instructions are executed.
Well-Defined Input: The input to an algorithm must be clearly specified and precisely defined.
Well-Defined Output: The output produced by the algorithm must also be clearly specified
and precisely defined.
Effectiveness: The algorithm should be efficient in terms of time and space.
USES OF AN ALGORITHM
Algorithm is commonly used for:
Performing data processing
Performing logical and mathematical operations
Manipulating data
Searching for a particular data
WRITING AN ALGORITHM
The construction of an algorithm involves creative thinking and finding the best possible
combination of steps to get the desired result. For example,
A. Algorithm to find product, sum, and difference of two numbers A and B.
Step 1 Start.
Step 2 Read two numbers and store them in A and B.
Step 3 Multiply the two numbers A and B and store the result in Product.
Step 4 Print the product.
Step 5 Add the two numbers A and B and store the result in Sum.
Step 6 Print the sum.
Step 7 Subtract number B from number A store the result in Difference.
Step 8 Print the Difference.
Step 9 Stop.
B. Algorithm to compare two numbers A and B.
Step 1 Start.
Step 2 Read two numbers and store them in A and B.
Step 3 Compare the numbers A and B.
Step 4 If A is less than B, print "A is smaller" and go to Step 7.
Step 5 If B is less than A, print "B is smaller" and go to Step 7.
40 iPRIME (Ver. 2.2)–VIII

