whether it was online or maybe in some conversation about technology.

不管是在網上還是在一些關於技術的對話中。

It's a word that gets thrown around a lot. But what exactly does it mean?

這是一個經常被人提起的詞。但它到底是什麼意思呢？

Well, simply put an algorithm is a set of steps used to complete a specific task.

好吧，簡單地說，算法就是用來完成特定任務的一組步驟。

They're the building blocks for programming

它們是編程的基石

and they allow things like computers, smartphones, and websites to function and make decisions.

而它們讓電腦、智能手機和網站等事物得以運作和決策。

But in addition to being used by technology, a lot of things we do on a daily basis

但除了被科技所利用，我們日常做的很多事情

are also similar to algorithms

也類似於算法

Let's say you want to make some spaghetti.

比方說，你想做一些意大利麵條。

In order to do this successfully, there's a certain set of steps

為了成功地做到這一點，有一定的步驟

you need to follow in a particular order.

你需要按照特定的順序進行。

First you need to boil a pot of water.

首先你需要燒一鍋水。

Once it's boiling you then add the spaghetti and cook it for a set amount of time, stirring occasionally.

一旦它的沸騰，你然後加入意大利麵條，並在設定的時間內煮，偶爾攪拌。

Once it's finished you drain the water and then it's ready to be served with a sauce of your choice.

做好後就把水瀝乾，然後就可以配上自己喜歡的醬料了。

That entire process is actually an algorithm. Because you followed those steps in that order,

這整個過程其實是一個算法。因為你按照這些步驟的順序進行了。

you reached your desired outcome, a delicious pasta dish.

你達到了你想要的結果，一盤美味的麵食。

But, if you were to make a mistake, say over or under cooking your noodles,

但是，如果你犯了一個錯誤，比如說你的麵條煮得過多或過少。

it probably wouldn't be as good.

它可能不會那麼好。

Programs work in a similar way. Their code is made up of algorithms telling them what to do.

程序也以類似的方式工作。它們的代碼是由算法組成的，告訴它們要做什麼。

Let's say that we want to use a navigation app to get directions.

比方說，我們想用導航應用來獲取方向。

When we punch in a destination, the app uses an algorithm to look at the various available routes.

當我們打入一個目的地時，應用程序會使用算法來查看各種可用的路線。

Next, it uses a different algorithm to check the current traffic. And then a third one takes that information

接下來，它使用不同的算法來檢查當前的流量。然後第三種算法將這些資訊

and calculates the best available route.

並計算出最佳可用路線。

All of these algorithms are built right into the apps code.

所有這些算法都是內置在應用程序的代碼中的。

If there were any kind of error in that code, the app wouldn't be able to follow these algorithms correctly.

如果該代碼有任何形式的錯誤，應用程序將無法正確遵循這些算法。

Meaning, you wouldn't receive your directions.

也就是說，你不會收到你的訓示。

Both of these examples show how both humans and computers

這兩個例子都說明了人類和計算機是如何的

can use algorithms to perform everyday tasks.

可以使用算法來執行日常任務。

The difference is that computers can use algorithms

不同的是，計算機可以使用算法

and calculate things better, faster, and more efficiently than we can.

並比我們能更好、更快、更有效地計算事情。

Technology is only going to continue to evolve and get even better at what it does.

技術只會繼續發展，並在它的工作中變得更加出色。

As long as coding and programming continue to be used,

只要繼續使用編碼和編程。

algorithms will be at the heart of these technologies guiding what they do and how they do it.

算法將是這些技術的核心，指導他們做什麼和如何做。

GCF global creating opportunities for a better life.

全球綠色氣候基金為改善生活創造機會。