What is the difference between method and algorithm? [closed]
Closed by System on Jun 24, 2018 at 16:14
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Could you please let me know the difference between method and algorithm? Can a method be computed into an algorithm? Can an algorithm be based on a method?
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I would say, in plain English, a "method" is an approach to accomplishing something without any guarantee of success.
An "algorithm" implies greater accuracy, dealing with well-defined and consistent objects with a greater certainty of reaching a specific goal.
The terms are definitely confused in usage between these two things, but in general I think this would be a good division of meaning between the two.
e.g. I could have a general method for dealing with employee conflicts, but it doesn't rise to an "algorithm" because people and their conflicts are too varied to produce a step-by-step solution that always works. Each situation requires individualized understanding and thought. There is no "one size fits all" solution.
Whereas, something like a recipe for baking a cake is very much an algorithm, the ingredients and methods are very well-defined, and following the instructions precisely without error will result in a cake.
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