What is an Algorithm? (In-Depth Explanation) Definition & Overview An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure or set of rules designed to solve a specific problem or perform a task. It takes an input, processes it through a well-defined sequence of operations, and produces an output. Algorithms are fundamental to computer science, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and real-world problem-solving. They serve as the backbone of software development, data processing, search engines, cryptography,