Decision-making and
Control structures
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INTRODUCTION TO
ALGORITHMS
TOPICS
⮚ What is an algorithm?
⮚ Why do we need algorithm?
⮚ Why are algorithms important
⮚ Characteristics of algorithm in
java
⮚ How to design an algorithm
⮚ How to analyze an algorithm
⮚ Types of algorithm
What is an Algorithm?
● An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or a set of
instructions designed to solve a specific problem or perform
a particular task.
● In computer science, algorithms are essential for
developing efficient and effective software solutions.
● It can be implemented in any programming language.
Why Do We Need Algorithms?
❏ Problem Solving:
Algorithms provide a systematic approach to solving problems. They break
down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps, making problem-solving
more organized and easier.
❏ Efficiency:
Well-designed algorithms can significantly improve the efficiency of a
program. They help in optimizing resource usage and reducing execution time,
which is crucial for large-scale applications and computationally intensive
tasks.
Why Do We Need Algorithms?
❏ Reusability:
Algorithms can be applied to various scenarios and data, allowing code
reusability and reducing the need to write similar logic multiple times.
❏ Standardization:
Algorithms provide a standard way to solve specific problems, promoting
consistency and ensuring that different programmers can approach the same
problem with similar techniques.
Why are Algorithms Important ?
Algorithms are the backbone of computer science and problem solving.
They are critical in various domains like:
1. Software Development
Every app, tool, or system uses
algorithms to handle logic.
Example:
> Login systems use hashing
algorithms for passwords.
> E-commerce apps use
recommendation algorithms.
Why are Algorithms Important ?
2. Data Processing
Algorithms manage, clean, and
analyze large data sets.
Example:
> Sorting customer orders by
date.
> Removing duplicate records
using hash-based algorithms.
Why are Algorithms Important ?
3. Artificial Intelligence & Machine
Learning
Core of prediction, pattern
recognition, and optimization.
Example :
> Decision trees, gradient
descent, k-means clustering.
> Recommendation engines (like
Netflix, YouTube).
Why are Algorithms Important ?
4. Competitive Programming
Focuses on writing optimal code
under constraints.
Example :
> Choosing between O(n log
n) or O(n²) can mean success or
failure.
> Problems from
Codeforces, LeetCode test
Why are Algorithms Important ?
5. Cybersecurity
Algorithms secure
communication and detect
threats.
Example:
> Encryption algorithms (AES,
RSA).
> Anomaly detection in
network traffic.
Why are Algorithms Important ?
6. Web & Search Engines
Power the logic behind crawling, indexing, and
ranking.
Example:
> Google Search uses graph-based and ranking
algorithms (like PageRank).
> Web crawlers like Googlebot uses Breadth-
First Search (BFS) or Depth-First Search (DFS)
strategies to navigate links.
> YouTube, Amazon, Flipkart, Facebook Ads
uses Recommendation Algorithms for Suggesting
articles, ads, or products based on user activity.
Characteristics of an Algorithm:
❏ Input:
An algorithm should have zero or more inputs. These inputs are the data on which
the algorithm operates.
❏ Output:
An algorithm should produce at least one output. The output is the result of the
algorithm's processing on the given inputs.
❏ Definiteness:
Each step in the algorithm should be precisely defined and unambiguous, leaving
no room for interpretation. This ensures that the algorithm's behavior is well-
defined.
Characteristics of an Algorithm:
❏ Finiteness:
An algorithm must eventually terminate after a finite number of steps. It should
not run indefinitely or go into an infinite loop.
❏ Effectiveness:
The steps in the algorithm should be basic and simple enough that they can be
executed using basic operations or actions.
Characteristics of an Algorithm:
❏ Correctness:
The algorithm should produce the correct output for all valid inputs and should
solve the problem it was designed to address.
❏ Determinism:
The algorithm's steps should be deterministic, meaning that given the same
input and conditions, it will always produce the same output.
❏ Feasibility:
The algorithm should be practical and feasible to implement, considering the
available resources and computational power.
Characteristics of an Algorithm in Java
1. Syntax:
The algorithm should be expressed using the syntax and constructs of the Java
programming language.
2. Data Structures:
Java provides various data structures like arrays, lists, maps, etc., that can be
used to represent data and support algorithmic operations.
Characteristics of an Algorithm in Java
3. Object-Oriented:
Java is an object-oriented language, and algorithms can be designed using
object-oriented principles like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
4. Standard Library:
Java's standard library offers a wide range of utility classes and functions,
which can be leveraged to simplify algorithm implementation and improve
code readability.
How to design an Algorithm
1. Understand the Problem:
Begin by thoroughly understanding the problem you need to solve. Identify
the inputs, desired outputs, and any constraints or special conditions.
2. Break Down the Problem:
Divide the problem into smaller sub-problems or steps. This process is called
decomposition and helps make the problem more manageable.
How to design an Algorithm
3. Choose a Suitable Data Structure:
Select the appropriate data structure to store and manipulate the data
efficiently. Common data structures in Java include arrays, lists, sets, maps,
and trees.
4. Design the Algorithm:
Start designing the step-by-step procedure to solve the problem. Use
pseudocode or flowcharts to outline the logic without worrying about the
specific syntax of the programming language.
How to design an Algorithm
5. Implement the Algorithm:
Translate the algorithm into Java code using the correct syntax, data
structures, and control structures like loops and conditionals.
6. Test and Debug:
Test the algorithm with various inputs, including edge cases, to ensure it
produces the correct output. Debug and refine the code as needed.
How to analyze Algorithm :
Algorithm analysis involves evaluating the efficiency and performance of an
algorithm. The primary aspects of algorithm analysis include:
1. Time Complexity:
Measure how the algorithm's running time increases with the size of the
input data. Common notations used are Big O notation (e.g., O(n), O(n^2)).
2. Space Complexity:
Evaluate the amount of memory space required by the algorithm as a
function of the input size.
How to analyze Algorithm
3. Best, Average, and Worst Cases:
Analyze the algorithm's performance in different scenarios, such as
best-case (minimum time required), average-case (expected time), and worst-
case (maximum time required).
4. Asymptotic Analysis:
Focus on the growth rate of the algorithm's time and space
requirements as the input size becomes very large. This helps identify the most
significant factors affecting the algorithm's performance.
Types of Algorithms
❏ Sorting Algorithms
❏ Searching Algorithms
❏ Graph Algorithms
❏ Dynamic Programming
Algorithms
❏ Greedy Algorithms
❏ Backtracking Algorithms
❏ Divide and Conquer Algorithms:
Types of Algorithms
1. Sorting Algorithms:
Algorithms to arrange elements in a specific order, like Bubble Sort, Selection
Sort, Insertion Sort, Merge Sort, Quick Sort, etc.
2. Searching Algorithms:
Algorithms to find a particular element in a data structure, like Linear Search,
Binary Search, etc.
3. Graph Algorithms:
Algorithms to solve problems related to graphs, like Depth-First Search (DFS),
Breadth-First Search (BFS), Dijkstra's Algorithm, etc.
Types of Algorithms
4. Dynamic Programming Algorithms:
Techniques to solve complex problems by breaking them down into overlapping
sub-problems, like Fibonacci sequence, Knapsack problem, etc.
5. Greedy Algorithms:
Algorithms that make locally optimal choices at each step, aiming to find a
global optimum, like Huffman Coding, Kruskal's algorithm, etc.
Types of Algorithms
6. Backtracking Algorithms:
Algorithms that explore all possible solutions through a recursive trial-and-error
approach, like N-Queens problem, Sudoku solver, etc.
7. Divide and Conquer Algorithms:
Techniques that break a problem into smaller sub-problems, solve them
independently, and combine their results to get the final solution, like Merge
Sort, Quick Sort, etc.
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Interview questions
1. What is the significance of algorithms in problem-solving?
Algorithms provide structured approaches to solving problems efficiently
and consistently, ensuring reliable results.
Interview questions
2. How would you define the characteristics of an algorithm?
An algorithm must have finiteness, definiteness, input, output,
effectiveness, and generality.
Interview questions
3. Can you explain the steps involved in designing an algorithm?
Algorithm design includes understanding the problem, planning,
specifying, verifying, and implementing the solution.
Interview questions
4. Why is algorithm analysis important?
Algorithm analysis helps determine the efficiency of an algorithm in terms
of time and space complexity.
Interview questions
5. Differentiate between time complexity and space complexity.
Time complexity measures how an algorithm's execution time increases with
input size, while space complexity measures its memory requirements.
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