How to learn algorithm?

China
August 2, 2008 9:32pm CST
I know algorithm is very important to programming.But I don't know how to learn this difficult thing.My math is poor.But I like programming.I want improve my programming skills but not only pile up the codes.
2 people like this
6 responses
@ruellm (145)
• Philippines
7 Sep 08
what do y exactly mean by "learning algorithm?". Algorthim varies from problem to problem, gues my advice is to improve your algorithm skill, you should improve your problem solving skills first. always think like a programmer/engineer, always ask question when faced with a tough problem; "How can this be done using a computer program". Get a pen a piece of paper and write your possible approach until you find the right one, dont code directly, the the industry we call it Designing. If possible discuss with someone experienced enough to acquire their knowledge. Happy coding.
• China
12 Oct 08
Yeah,design is also very important.Autually,algorithm is the process of the design.Thanks for your post.
@mr_mlk (364)
9 Aug 08
Don't worry too much about your maths. Mine is quite poor and I get by fine. What you do need however is good logic skills. As to algorithms, I recomemend you either buy a book on the subject (Introduction to Algorithms by TH Cormen, ISBN:0262531968 was recently recomemended to me) or hit Wikipedia and try to implement as many as you can in your choosen language. Good luck.
• China
11 Aug 08
Thanks for your help.That's very concrete suggests.I will try this way.Thanks a lot.
@ferdzNK (3211)
• Philippines
4 Aug 08
I can't imagine programming without math. Programs are for computers a device that 'compute'. Algorithm - A computable set of steps to achieve a desired result, this is programming. Computer has a very simple approach to things this is why binary system is thought first - true or false, 1 or 0, yes or no ... it either do it or it don't. Now where would you like to be?
5 Aug 08
learning algorithms is not too hard (well, at least it wasnt for me), just you need to start from beginning. that means - you have to write every single algorithm on paper. later you will manage to make whole algorithms in your head, but at beginning you have to write everything on paper. that means you have to learn algorithm signs. think of it like you are learning alphabet all over again. after that, you should practice some math, cause programming is all about math. :)
@albino001 (154)
• India
12 Oct 08
algorithm is the collection of steps in proper sequence to solve ny problem . do worry too much about it think practically its easy then
@ailanz (1)
• Canada
1 Jan 11
Here is a good online tutorial for leaning algorithms without the math: http://www.ambesty.com