Define the term "algorithm" in the context of computer programming.

An algorithm in computer programming is a set of step-by-step instructions to solve a specific problem or perform a certain task.

In more detail, an algorithm is a well-defined procedure that allows a computer to solve a problem. One of the most important characteristics of an algorithm is that it has a clear stopping point. After the algorithm has solved the problem, it will stop. Furthermore, an algorithm can be expressed within a finite amount of space and time, and in a well-defined formal language for calculating a function.

Algorithms are the heart of computer programming, helping to define the solutions to problems in a systematic and logical way. They can be simple, such as a recipe to bake a cake, or complex, like the processes behind Google's search engine. Algorithms can be designed using pseudocode and flow charts before a programmer writes them in a specific programming language.

The efficiency of an algorithm can be analysed in terms of time complexity and space complexity. Time complexity refers to the computational complexity that describes the amount of computer time taken by an algorithm to run, as a function of the size of the input to the program. Space complexity is a measure of the amount of memory an algorithm needs in relation to the size of the input.

Algorithms are essential for running all types of computer software, from video games to web browsers, and are a fundamental part of the field of computer science. Understanding and creating algorithms is a key skill for any computer programmer.