#62 What is an Algorithm?

#62 What is an Algorithm?

Author: David Kopec, Rebecca Kopec August 16, 2021 Duration: 15:15

Algorithms are at the heart of computer science. And they're actually a really simple concept. What are the steps we need to take to solve a problem? The best algorithms are generic enough to be used on different problems of the same type. Software developers favor algorithms that are efficient and easy to implement. In this episode we'll discuss what an algorithm is, how algorithms are measured, how we can be sure they are correct, and some of the issues around bias in algorithms.

Show Notes

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Ever wondered how the apps on your phone actually work, or what really happens when you click "download"? Kopec Explains Software is here to demystify those everyday digital mysteries. Hosted by David and Rebecca Kopec, this conversation breaks down complex, software-related ideas into clear, relatable concepts you can grasp. The focus isn't on jargon or textbook definitions, but on building a genuine, intuitive feel for how technology operates. Each episode picks apart a different facet of the software world, from the fundamentals of coding to the ethics of artificial intelligence, translating technical subjects into plain English. You'll come away not just with new knowledge, but with a clearer framework for understanding the digital systems that shape our lives. It’s a straightforward, engaging resource for anyone with curiosity about the technology they use daily, whether you're a seasoned professional looking for a fresh perspective or a complete novice starting from scratch. Tune into the podcast for thoughtful discussions that make the vast and often intimidating landscape of software feel accessible and genuinely interesting.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Kopec Explains Software
Podcast Episodes
#58 GitHub Copilot's Controversies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
GitHub recently launched its AI programming assistant, Copilot, in beta. Copilot can suggest lines of source code or even entire functions to the programmer for instant addition to their project. Copilot's machine learni…
#57 Version Control Systems, Git, and GitHub [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
Version Control Systems make it possible for software developers to seamlessly work together on large projects. In this episode we explain how version control systems are used and how the different kinds of version contr…
#56 What is the Cloud? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:20
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#55 What is Java? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:12
Java, the most popular programming language in the world, is also a platform. It enables software to be written once, compiled into platform-independent bytecode, and then run on any computing device with a Java Virtual…
#54 What is Compression? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:47
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#53 Developer Tools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:43
You need programs to make programs. In this episode we discuss the tools programmers use to make the software you love. We discuss compilers, text editors, debuggers, profilers, documentation, integrated development envi…
#52 One-Year Anniversary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:25
On our 1-year anniversary of the podcast we discuss our most popular episodes, our favorite episodes, and where we're going with the podcast moving forward. We also give you a bit of a sneak peek behind the scenes as we…
#51 What is Lossless Audio? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:55
Lossless audio is coming to Apple Music and Spotify. But what is lossless audio? In this episode we explain the difference between lossy compression, like MP3 files, and the lossless formats that are coming to a streamin…
#50 What is DRM? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:16
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a software or hardware mechanism that restricts what you can do with your digital media. It may limit a movie from playing without your authenticated credentials, or stop a Nintendo car…
#49 Apple vs Facebook on App Tracking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
Starting with iOS 14.5, Apple forces developers who want to track users across multiple different apps to get permission on a per app basis. In this episode we talk about the origins of this policy, why it has irked Face…