An Algorithm
I will use a simple example to best explain this. I want to write a very small program that prompts a user to enter two numbers. Once these numbers are entered, they will be calculated and the sum displayed. The first step is to declare the variables. The second step is to pop a message for the user. The message will prompt the user to enter the numbers which will calculate themselves in the 4th step and populate a sum in the final step. This is what is referred to as an algorithm. An Algorithm is a step by step process required to offer a solution for a problem or to complete a particular task like the one above.