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I am attending algorithms and data structures course in my University and my professor gave me an interesting question the other day. He told me to think about it.

What is a problem, a task, and a solution?

It seems to me like it's more of a philosophical question. All of those 3 things correlate to one another.

To me, it seems like if we have a problem, we then have a task to solve it, which we might be able to do with an algorithm, which is a solution.

What do you guys think would be the answer to this question? Does it have some kind of deeper meaning about algorithms, or am I just overthinking it?

Raphael
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Matt
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2 Answers2

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A problem is that you're trying to study Algorithms(seriously, its a real world problem). By posting this question here, you've performed a task, in order to solve a part of that problem. A complete solution would be when you understand the problem, perform a set of tasks in order to solve that problem. Seems to be fun? Actually, it is.

Lets understand with a better example, You want to become a good Software(Don't get deep in this term or change it with Web or whatever you'd like) Developer. It is a problem. Now you're attending some courses to fulfill that dream, this a task for the solution of that problem. Another task could be that you practice & sharpen your CS skills on your own. And many more such tasks. All these tasks collectively form a solution.

d3corator
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philosophically, a problem isn't a problem until there is unrest, and a way to explain it as such. i.e. an understanding leads to determining if it really is a problem, or just misunderstood. Correctly specifying the problem then leads to its identification.

A bit morbid, but for ex, people dying from arsenic poisoning seems like a problem. Arsenic is poisonous, it will cause death. Is this the problem? No, the problem is exposure. (stated generally for brevity.) The task becomes solving exposure. And of course there may be multiple solutions. Detection, protective gear, isolation, etc.

htm11h
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