Computer program

A computer program or software program (usually abbreviated to "a program") is a step-by-step list of instructions written for a particular computer architecture in a particular computer programming language. A layman equivalent example would be writing a step-by-step list of instructions in English instructing a human how to make a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (the human being the specific architecture). More often than not, computer programs are compiled or assembled into non-human readable format. Executable uncompiled programs are referred to as scripts.

Algorithms

A formal methodology to solve a particular problem usually combined with a study of different degrees of performance constitute an algorithm. Algorithms can be purely theoretical or implemented by a computer program. Where theoretical algorithms are usually classified in categories according to complexity {{ref|TalenAutomata}}, implemented algorithms are usually profiled to test routines for efficiency. Note that although an algorithm can be theoretically performant, it can be poorly implemented wasting valuable computer resources. (see Algorithmic information theory for more information)

Related Topics:
Performance - Algorithm - Complexity - Profiled - Routines - Resources - Algorithmic information theory

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