John Ndlovu
Information and Technology Reporter
Computer programming is one of the most relevant aspects in Information and Technology as it plays an important role in software development and creation of computer programs.
Algorithm is one of the subjects which has been used to perform tasks in computers.
An algorithm refers to procedural methods used to perform problem solving operations in a computer. Algorithms contain sets of instructions that enable a computer to carry out a specific task or tasks.
Andile Dube, a seasoned computer programmer from the City of Kings and Queens told Zim GBC News that algorithms are of great importance in software applications as they act as exact list of instructions which conduct specific actions step by step for both hardware or software based routines.
“Algorithms are very important to the technology world as they construct blocks for programming and also allow smartphones and websites to function and make decisions. They also promote precision in the sense that a computer program follows specific instructions to carry out jobs or tasks mitigating any ambiguity.”Dube stated.
However Dube also stated that Algorithms have disadvantages such as exposure of people’ sensitive data which might fall on the wrong hands.
“However algorithms are a bit of a demerit as data privacy is linked with Artificial Intelligence models based on consumer data, henceforth users are wary of their data falling into wrong hands, as the latter might obtain and use user data for wrong reasons including sensitive information. The fact that large amount of data fed into Artificial Intelligence driven algorithms being susceptible to data breaches is another dis-advantage of algorithms as hackers might use it to infiltrate information.” Dube added.
Algorithms have been used by several tech giants for example, Huawei and TickTock for Artificial Intelligence programming.
Unfortunately the United States of America(USA)government has criticized Huawei and TikTok for using their devices and software applications to illegally soliciting personal data and private information from individuals and corporates alike. This is what the USA government stated that seriously undermine it’s state security.
Zim GBC News also spoke to Bulawayo residents and technology experts on the subject of matter and there were mixed reactions.
Fortune Dube who is a Programmer and a hacker based in Bulawayo defined Algorithms as one of the most important components as they are used in software, computer programs and application development as they can also be used in performing tasks on applications and in coding.
“Algorithms are blocks of codes that perform a certain task, these codes can be reused thus one can use one algorithm to perform different tasks and on different applications.”Fortune Dube said.
The programming and hacking guru also told this reporter that algorithm can also be used in different languages when performing certain different computing tasks.
“Algorithms can be written in different languages, for example I use python for programming, so I write my algorithm with python so there is someone who uses JavaScript when they write their algorithm, although it’s all coding it varies in languages hence all use algorithm in performing those tasks.” He added.
Mbongeni Ngulube from Nkulumane suburbs however had no knowledge on the subject as he told this reporter that he did not even know the word existed.
“Honestly I do not know anything about algorithms and how they apply on the applications on any device what I just do is to open my devices and just operate it.”Ngulube said.
In Zimbabwe algorithms were adopted by the government in distribution of of cash relief during the Corona Virus(COVID-19) period through use of algorithm based bank cash transfer.