What is an algorithm? How computers know what to do with data – The Conversation US
The world of computing is full of buzzwords: AI, supercomputers, machine learning, the cloud, quantum computing and more. One word in particular is used throughout computing algorithm.
In the most general sense, an algorithm is a series of instructions telling a computer how to transform a set of facts about the world into useful information. The facts are data, and the useful information is knowledge for people, instructions for machines or input for yet another algorithm. There are many common examples of algorithms, from sorting sets of numbers to finding routes through maps to displaying information on a screen.
To get a feel for the concept of algorithms, think about getting dressed in the morning. Few people give it a second thought. But how would you write down your process or tell a 5-year-old your approach? Answering these questions in a detailed way yields an algorithm.
To a computer, input is the information needed to make decisions.
When you get dressed in the morning, what information do you need? First and foremost, you need to know what clothes are available to you in your closet. Then you might consider what the temperature is, what the weather forecast is for the day, what season it is and maybe some personal preferences.
All of this can be represented in data, which is essentially simple collections of numbers or words. For example, temperature is a number, and a weather forecast might be rainy or sunshine.
Next comes the heart of an algorithm computation. Computations involve arithmetic, decision-making and repetition.
So, how does this apply to getting dressed? You make decisions by doing some math on those input quantities. Whether you put on a jacket might depend on the temperature, and which jacket you choose might depend on the forecast. To a computer, part of our getting-dressed algorithm would look like if it is below 50 degrees and it is raining, then pick the rain jacket and a long-sleeved shirt to wear underneath it.
After picking your clothes, you then need to put them on. This is a key part of our algorithm. To a computer a repetition can be expressed like for each piece of clothing, put it on.
Finally, the last step of an algorithm is output expressing the answer. To a computer, output is usually more data, just like input. It allows computers to string algorithms together in complex fashions to produce more algorithms. However, output can also involve presenting information, for example putting words on a screen, producing auditory cues or some other form of communication.
So after getting dressed you step out into the world, ready for the elements and the gazes of the people around you. Maybe you even take a selfie and put it on Instagram to strut your stuff.
Sometimes its too complicated to spell out a decision-making process. A special category of algorithms, machine learning algorithms, try to learn based on a set of past decision-making examples. Machine learning is commonplace for things like recommendations, predictions and looking up information.
[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]
For our getting-dressed example, a machine learning algorithm would be the equivalent of your remembering past decisions about what to wear, knowing how comfortable you feel wearing each item, and maybe which selfies got the most likes, and using that information to make better choices.
So, an algorithm is the process a computer uses to transform input data into output data. A simple concept, and yet every piece of technology that you touch involves many algorithms. Maybe the next time you grab your phone, see a Hollywood movie or check your email, you can ponder what sort of complex set of algorithms is behind the scenes.
Read more here:
What is an algorithm? How computers know what to do with data - The Conversation US
- Buy the Dip on This Quantum Computing Stock - Yahoo Finance - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- UChicago partners with IBM to strengthen quantum computing startups in Illinois - University of Chicago News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Gold clusters mimic atomic spin properties for scalable quantum computing applications - Phys.org - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Global Quantum Computing Market Report 2026-2046, with Profiles of 217 Companies Shaping the Quantum Computing Ecosystem, Including Market Leaders,... - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT): A Bear Case Theory - Yahoo Finance - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Universal Quantum Joins Open Quantum Institute to Advance Endometriosis Drug Discovery with Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Quantum Computing - Nasdaq - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing: Stay Far From The Quantum Realm, Strong Sell (NASDAQ:QUBT) - Seeking Alpha - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- 2025: An eventful year for quantum computing - The New Indian Express - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Riverlane and OQC Move Toward Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing with QEC Integration - HPCwire - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Billionaires Are Buying This Quantum Computing Stock Hand Over Fist (Hint: It's Not IonQ or D-Wave Quantum) - Yahoo Finance - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Unlocking the Future: How Advanced Ceramics Are Powering Quantum Computing and Semiconductor Innovation - openPR.com - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Global Quantum Computing Market Report 2025: Revenue, Trends, and Key Players - Yahoo Finance - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Billionaires Are Buying This Quantum Computing Stock Hand Over Fist (Hint: It's Not IonQ or D-Wave Quantum) - Mitrade - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Potential to Beat the Market 7/21/2025 - TipRanks - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- 2 Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in July - Yahoo Finance - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Want to Invest in Quantum Computing Without the Crazy Risk? Buy These 3 Stocks. - The Motley Fool - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Is quantum computing the next big thing in stocks? - Yahoo Finance - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Are We in a Quantum Computing Bubble? - The Motley Fool - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Is Quantum Computing Stock a Buy for Less Than $20? - The Motley Fool - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- After Plummeting by 18%, Could This Quantum Computing Stock Stage a Second-Half Comeback? - AOL.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- New Platform Leverages AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Salmonella Antimicrobial Resistance | Newswise - Newswise - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Seen As Top Cybersecurity Threat by 65% of Firms - IoT World Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- SuperQ Quantum Computing Partners with Web Summit to Expand Global Reach - TipRanks - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- They Put Light and Quantum Into One Chip!: Scientists Unveil Silicon Breakthrough That Could Reshape the Future of Computing Forever - Rude Baguette - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- What is quantum computing? Heres everything you need to know right now - Fast Company - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Warren Buffett Is Invested in These Three Magnificent Quantum Computing Stocks. Here's the Best of the Bunch. - The Motley Fool - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Rigetti Doubles Performance with Industry-First 36-Qubit Multi-Chip System - Stock Titan - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Why Is Sumitomo Corporation Taking on Quantum Computing? Pioneering Real-World Applications at the Forefront of Social Implementation -... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Oxford Ionics and Iceberg Quantum Partner to Accelerate Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing - HPCwire - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Analysts See over 30% Upside in These 3 Quantum Computing Stocks 7/14/2025 - TipRanks - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- How Mass. is becoming a hub for the quantum computing industry - WBUR - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ohio awards millions to Miami University for 'quantum computing workforce' - spectrumlocalnews.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Could IonQ Be the Nvidia of Quantum Computing? - 24/7 Wall St. - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Quantum (QUBT) Computing Rallies 8.7% Ahead of Q2 Earnings - Yahoo Finance - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Wanted: enabling technologies in quantum computing for artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security - Military Aerospace - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- What's Going On With Quantum Computing Stock Today? - Quantum Computing (NASDAQ:QUBT) - Benzinga - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- ZenaTech creates quantum computing prototype to advance AI drone solutions - Evertiq - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- AmpliTechs Cryogenic LNAs Power the Future of Quantum Computing and AI - Yahoo Finance - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Inc. Stocks: Time to Buy or Wait? - StocksToTrade - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Think Quantum Computing Will Be the Next Big Thing? These Are the 2 Stocks to Buy Today - 24/7 Wall St. - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Rigetti Computing (RGTI): At the Quantum Inflection Point A Leveraged Play on Institutional Adoption - AInvest - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- NTT Research and Tohoku University Collaborate on Quantum Enhanced Coherent Ising Machines - Quantum Computing Report - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Better Quantum Computing Stock: D-Wave Quantum vs. IonQ - MSN - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Better Quantum Computing Stock: D-Wave Quantum vs. IonQ - The Motley Fool - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- ZenaTech Creates First Quantum Computing Prototype Enabling Disruptive AI Drone Speed and Precision for Future Commercial and US Defense Applications... - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Nearly two-thirds of organizations consider quantum computing as the most critical cybersecurity threat in 35 years - Capgemini - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Why Quantum Computing Stock Skyrocketed 69.3% in June -- and What Comes Next? - Nasdaq - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing - Why BTC isn't the biggest worry for COINBASE:BTCUSD by Profit_Through_Patience - TradingView - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Could Lead the Quantum Computing Revolution - The Motley Fool - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- D-Wave, Yonsei, Incheon team up to boost quantum computing - Evertiq - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Is Rigetti Computing the Top Quantum Computing Stock for the Second Half of 2025? - The Motley Fool - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Why Quantum Computing Stock Skyrocketed 69.3% in June -- and What Comes Next? - The Motley Fool - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc. to Begin Trading on CSE as QBTQ - TipRanks - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Why Quantum Computing Stock Skyrocketed 69.3% in June -- and What Comes Next? - AOL.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- This Quantum Computing Stock Just Raised $1 Billion And Analyst Says Its Only Getting Started - IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) - Benzinga - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Nearly two-thirds of organizations consider quantum computing as the most critical cybersecurity threat in 3-5 years - The Manila Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing (NASDAQ:QUBT) Shares Down 2.2% - Here's What Happened - MarketBeat - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Billionaires Are Buying This Quantum Computing Stock Hand Over Fist (Hint: It's Not IonQ or D-Wave Quantum) - The Motley Fool - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Individual defects in superconducting quantum circuits imaged for the first time - Scientific Computing World - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Horses for Courses: Where Quantum Computing Is, and Isnt, the Answer - RealClearDefense - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Satoshi-Era Bitcoin (BTC) Whale's $8B Move Explained Amid Looming Quantum Computing Threat to Crypto - Blockchain News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing's 'Q-Day' Threat: Is Your Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Portfolio Facing Annihilation? - Blockchain News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Filing Warns of Quantum Computing Threat: Could Q-Day Make BTC and ETH Worthless? - Blockchain News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing's "Q-Day" Poses Existential Risk to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), Expert Warns - Blockchain News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Threat: 25% of Bitcoin (BTC) at Risk as Polyhedra (ZKJ) Crashes 80% After Liquidity Attack - Blockchain News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Scientists Just Simulated the Impossible in Quantum Computing - SciTechDaily - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Potential to Beat the Market 7/7/2025 - TipRanks - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- JPMorgan's quantum computing team lost its leaders & there is a mystery - eFinancialCareers - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Cracking the quantum code: Light and glass are set to transform computing - Phys.org - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- IBM Backs $26M Funding for Quantum Computing Error Correction Startup - IoT World Today - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Horses for courses: where quantum computing is, and isnt, the answer - The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary site - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- D-Wave and Rigetti: Cantor Chooses the Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy - Yahoo Finance - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing's Surge: Navigating Tariffs and Tech Tailwinds for Profitable Growth - AInvest - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- 2 Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in July - The Motley Fool - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- D-Wave and Rigetti: Cantor Chooses the Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy - TipRanks - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- QEDMA Raises $26 Million With Participation From IBM to Tackle Quantum Computing Errors - The Quantum Insider - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Stocks QBTS and IONQ Rally as Cantor Assigns Buy Rating - TipRanks - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Meet the Monster Quantum Computing Stock That Continues to Crush IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and Nvidia - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Meet the Monster Quantum Computing Stock That Continues to Crush IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and Nvidia - Nasdaq - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]