algorithm

A set of steps that when followed do calculations or solve other problems. A recipe could be seen as an algorithm. In computer programming it processes some input to either add to a database or send a result back to the user. More advanced algorithms are used to make a decision. Algorithms control more and more of our daily lives through advertising, what food is available as well as stock markets. Search engines create their own algorithms for determining which websites appear near the top of the first page of search results.