Algorithms in Everyday Life

Modern society would be unimaginable without algorithms. Although many people are not aware of this, they now shape everyday life in many different areas of life. They also represent the basic technology for giving a computer specific instructions. Every computer scientist, therefore, works with algorithms every day – and those for IT specialists are just as diverse as their areas of application.
 

 

Everyday algorithms

 
Anyone who has not studied computer science, mathematics, or a similar profession has probably hardly or not at all come into contact with algorithms in his life – at least not consciously. However, these are unconsciously present in many everyday situations. They make life easier and form the basis for many innovative technologies. However, in order to understand the meaning of algorithms, it is important to know their definition. Algorithms are precise instructions. By means of general schemas, it is thus predetermined how to proceed with certain problems if they appear in different contexts.

This sounds complicated, but it means nothing other than that algorithms consider all possibilities and find a solution for each of them – a way out of the labyrinth, so to speak. Even very complex issues can be planned and controlled down to the last detail. Such algorithms are used today, for example, in airplanes, but also in ATMs and many other things of everyday life. Computers and similar end devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, etc. are also a classic area of application.
 

 

Areas of application for IT specialists

Computer science has fundamentally changed the modern world. Many things that society takes for granted nowadays would not be possible without IT specialists. To be more precise, their work is based on algorithms and classic computer programming activities are therefore only one of many possible work areas for corresponding IT specialists. In addition, they can work in the following industries, for example:
 

Internet

 
Algorithms play an important role in many places on the Internet. You decide which search results are listed in which place in Google. You select the posts that are displayed to a user on his social media channels. You determine the suggestions for online shopping which products the buyer might like. From e-commerce to social networks to banner advertising on a website, the algorithms can be found on virtually every website. They control that and how the user can move through the World Wide Web. Almost every company that is (also) active online therefore needs appropriate IT specialists, which opens up a wide range of areas of activity.
 

Streaming

 
Streaming is also becoming increasingly important in everyday life, especially among the younger generations. They stream music, videos, series, or films, for example via platforms such as YouTube, but also by subscribing to Netflix, Amazon Prime & Co. Here the user can freely choose which titles he would like to stream, but many listeners and viewers choose which Random playback in which an algorithm comes into play again. And even if not, algorithms decide which titles are suggested, which preview is played, which advertisements are displayed, and much more. In streaming, the possible areas of application for IT specialists are therefore also growing.
 

 

Gaming

 
Another example is gaming. This can take place online as well as offline but is always based on numerous different algorithms. A classic area of ​​application is gambling. Because the “coincidence” that exists in a real casino can only be simulated online. It is all the more important to rely on computer algorithms for such cases, which reproduce the chance as best as possible and thus ensure a fair game without the need to check the results. But other computer games also use numerous algorithms, for example when it comes to so-called “behavior trees”. In theory, it would be possible to give the characters, etc. their own artificial intelligence so that they can learn and decide for themselves. But the algorithm ensures that the developers of such games still maintain control. It is therefore also a very exciting and diverse area of ​​application for IT specialists.
 

Finances

 
Even modern financial markets can no longer be imagined today without algorithms. More than half of all transactions are now controlled using such formulas. These are, for example, stock transactions, but also online transfers or the calculation of the creditworthiness of an applicant. Especially in the financial markets, where a lot of numbers are juggled anyway, IT specialists will find a large selection of jobs related to programming, monitoring, or optimizing algorithms.
 

 

Cars

 
At first sight, the connection between algorithms and cars is less obvious. However, modern vehicles also use numerous functions based on algorithms. This includes the parking assistant, the navigation system, and automotive electronics. In addition, algorithms control the traffic control systems, for example, traffic lights, street lighting, or monitoring systems. Without them, chaos would break out on the streets. Most new cars already have over 100 different control units – and the number is rising. And these not only have to work individually, but also interact with each other.
 

Meteorology

 
A completely different, but equally interesting field of application is meteorology. The fact that weather forecasts are possible and still accurate is also due to the algorithms. You can carry out climate simulations or use various observations to calculate a prediction, such as how the high-pressure area will move or what values the humidity can reach – as well as many other data. The aim is to make these weather forecasts more and more reliable by further developing the algorithms. In addition, they should provide more different data and make corresponding predictions possible for a longer period in the future. In the coming years, IT specialists will face numerous challenges that promise varied and interesting everyday work.
 

Building Technology

 
Building technology is currently experiencing a real revolution. It is developing at a rapid pace and modern technologies with their algorithms play an increasingly important role in this. For this purpose, networked sensors are installed in all rooms, which collect data such as temperature or humidity. They can evaluate all of this data and combine them with one another. You also observe the heating behavior and can thus control the heat supply more individually and sustainably. The weather forecasts already mentioned can also be included or the current electricity prices. The possibilities that are already being used, or at least conceivable, are diverse. The IT specialists, therefore, have a lot of room for creativity, but also for professional development.
 

 

Medicine

 
Medicine is another and last area of application on this list when it comes to possible industries for computer scientists. Modern technologies are being used more and more frequently in order to optimize medical care for patients or to improve prevention. An example of this is an intelligent microphone that monitors the breathing of asthma patients. It serves as a kind of early warning system so that you can act quickly (more) in the event of an attack. But there are many more innovations in the starting blocks, which have to be programmed or even yet to be invented. It will therefore remain exciting to see which other areas of work for IT specialists will be added in the future – not only in medicine.
 

Conclusion

Algorithms actually influence everyday life in the modern world in many different areas of life. Only through them are there any industrially manufactured products, automotive electronics, or weather forecasts. Even in the construction of buildings and bridges, algorithms are now used to create corresponding simulations depending on the weather, temperature, load, etc. Anyone interested in computer science and its algorithms can enjoy a large selection of exciting jobs that will literally change the future.
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