Wirebook › Glossary › Algorithm
What is an algorithm?
In one sentence: A list of exact steps a computer follows to do a job, such as sorting a list or choosing which videos to show you.
A little more
An algorithm is a recipe for a computer: a fixed list of steps that turns some input into an answer. Sorting names alphabetically, finding the quickest route home and choosing which videos to show next are all done by algorithms.
When people say "the algorithm" about a video or social app, they usually mean its recommendation system: the steps that score every post for you. It isn't one clever brain, just a lot of counting done very quickly.
It's a bit like… A recipe card: follow the steps in order and you get the same cake every time.