Learn what algorithms are and why they are the heart of computer programs.
An algorithm is a set of precise, step-by-step instructions that tells someone (or something) how to complete a task or solve a problem. You already follow algorithms in everyday life — like a recipe for baking a cake or instructions for getting dressed in the morning. In computing, algorithms are the thinking behind every program. Before we write code, we need to plan what the computer should do, step by step. Each step must be clear and in the right order — computers do exactly what they’re told, so if an instruction is missing or in the wrong place, the program won’t work correctly! Algorithms can use sequences (steps in order), selection (if/else decisions) and repetition (loops that repeat steps). Learning to think algorithmically — breaking big problems into small, manageable steps — is one of the most valuable skills in computing.