Sequential Algorithms
Sequential algorithms are computational procedures that execute a series of operations in a predetermined order, one step at a time, without parallel processing. They form the foundation of traditional programming, where instructions are processed sequentially by a single processor or thread. This contrasts with parallel or concurrent algorithms, which perform multiple operations simultaneously.
Developers should learn sequential algorithms as they are essential for understanding fundamental problem-solving techniques, such as sorting, searching, and dynamic programming, which are widely used in software development. They are crucial for optimizing performance in single-threaded applications, like many web servers or data processing tasks, and serve as a prerequisite for grasping more advanced parallel computing concepts.