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.

“The Algorithm” is impenetrable. It’s mysterious, it’s all-knowing, it’s omnipotent. Except that it’s not. An algorithm is a simple concept that, today, has many complex manifestations.

Sort Algorithms: Imagine being handed a jumbled pile of numbered cards and being asked to arrange them in ascending or descending order. Sort algorithms do precisely that, but in the digital domain.

Algorithms are important in writing code, as this tells the computer what you want it to do. Whether you want to open a browser, inspect an element, search for an app ...

Learn what an algorithm is with this KS1 primary computing guide from BBC Bitesize for years 1 and 2. We will define what an algorithm is and how they work.

In an article on Domingos’ Master Algorithm, Slate’s David Auerbach notes that “even within computer science, machine learning is notably opaque.” But it’s also increasingly central to ...