What is an algorithm in computer science and can you provide an example to illustrate its function?

An algorithm in computer science is a step-by-step procedure or set of rules used to solve a problem or perform a task. It is a sequence of instructions that can be executed by a computer to achieve a specific goal.

For example, a simple algorithm for finding the largest number in a list of numbers would involve comparing each number in the list to the current largest number found so far. The algorithm would update the current largest number if a larger number is found, and continue this process until all numbers in the list have been checked.