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Reviewed visual · version 1

RS Glossary

Algorithm

An algorithm is a defined procedure or set of steps for transforming inputs into outputs or solving a class of problems.

Review state
Reviewed in POC
Freshness
Current
Version
2
  • Algorithm

Remember it this wayAn algorithm is a procedure the computer follows.

In plain language

An algorithm tells a computer how to carry out a procedure. Some algorithms contain fixed rules; others are used to train or run learned models.

Why it matters

Calling every automated decision AI hides important differences. Teams should ask whether behavior comes from explicit rules, learned parameters, application logic, or a combination.

Example

A scheduling algorithm sorts available appointments, applies eligibility rules, and returns the earliest valid options.

Common misconception

An algorithm is not automatically intelligent, unbiased, or learned from data. Simple sorting and arithmetic procedures are algorithms too.

Related terms

Sources

  • NIST CSRC Glossary — AlgorithmNIST source-linked definition of an algorithm as a clearly specified computational process or set of rules producing a prescribed result.

Learn more

  • Compare computational steps with the operational framing in [[process|Process]].

Public history

45 recorded events · 45 public summaries

  1. A potential shared concept was discussed and selected for initial glossary drafting.

  2. The captured candidate received a complete initial draft and entered section-level human review.

  3. Radar reviewed the initial definition draft for human consideration.

  4. Radar reviewed the initial plain-language-explanation draft for human consideration.

  5. Radar reviewed the initial why-it-matters draft for human consideration.

  6. Radar reviewed the initial example draft for human consideration.

  7. Radar reviewed the initial common-misconception draft for human consideration.

  8. Radar reviewed the initial remember-it-this-way draft for human consideration.

  9. Radar reviewed the initial related-terms draft for human consideration.

  10. Radar reviewed the initial sources draft for human consideration.

  11. Radar reviewed the initial learn-more draft for human consideration.

  12. A proposal was opened for section-level human review while preserving the current version.

  13. A human reviewer opened a proposed revision while preserving the current approved or captured version.

  14. definition approved by a human reviewer.

  15. plain-language-explanation approved by a human reviewer.

  16. why-it-matters approved by a human reviewer.

  17. example approved by a human reviewer.

  18. common-misconception approved by a human reviewer.

  19. remember-it-this-way approved by a human reviewer.

  20. related-terms approved by a human reviewer.

  21. sources returned for revision.

  22. learn-more approved by a human reviewer.

  23. Requested wording was prepared without changing approved or existing sections.

  24. Radar reviewed the pending sources section for human consideration.

  25. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  26. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  27. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  28. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  29. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  30. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  31. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  32. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  33. Radar must rereview the complete algorithm term after an accepted text change.

  34. sources approved by a human reviewer.

  35. sources approved wording became the current section text.

  36. All section gates are approved; content version 2 is now a fully approved term.

  37. Radar rereviewed the human-approved definition wording for this exact version.

  38. Radar rereviewed the human-approved plain-language-explanation wording for this exact version.

  39. Radar rereviewed the human-approved why-it-matters wording for this exact version.

  40. Radar rereviewed the human-approved example wording for this exact version.

  41. Radar rereviewed the human-approved common-misconception wording for this exact version.

  42. Radar rereviewed the human-approved remember-it-this-way wording for this exact version.

  43. Radar rereviewed the human-approved related-terms wording for this exact version.

  44. Radar rereviewed the human-approved sources wording for this exact version.

  45. Radar rereviewed the human-approved learn-more wording for this exact version.

Source: vault/Glossary/terms/algorithm/term.md · sha256:a3b1038d811c91ad92821e76c43cd419c593aa3268007dd7e3fef9e1f1290391 · Release: rs-glossary-glossary-team-poc-0.5.5-2026-09-02