Deterministic Algorithm

What Does Deterministic Algorithm Mean?

A deterministic algorithm is an algorithm that is purely determined by its inputs, where no randomness is involved in the model. Deterministic algorithms will always come up with the same result given the same inputs.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains Deterministic Algorithm

By contrast, probabilistic models include an element of probability. One way to think about probabilistic and deterministic models is to think about linear programming, where in earlier traditional paradigms, results were purely deterministic.

More recently, with the development of weighted inputs and various tools, programs can inject an element of probability into results which often provide sophisticated dynamic results instead of static results that are associated with purely deterministic algorithms.

If, for example, a machine learning program takes a certain set of inputs and chooses one of a set of array units based on probability, that action may have to be “verified” by a deterministic model – or the machine will continue to make these choices and self-analyze to “learn” in the conceptual sense.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Computer Science Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…