JAMIA 2026 — Computer PYQ
JAMIA | Computer | 2026Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an algorithm?
Choose the correct answer:
- A.
Input
- B.
Output
- C.
Scalable
(Correct Answer) - D.
Definiteness
Scalable
Explanation
Correct Option: (c) Scalable
Solution
Standard Characteristics of an Algorithm
According to Donald Knuth and foundational computer science principles, a sequence of instructions must satisfy several specific criteria to formally qualify as an algorithm.
Let an algorithm be represented as a transformational system A mapping an input space to an output space. It must strictly adhere to the following properties:
Input: An algorithm must have zero or more well-defined inputs (I≥0) taken from a specified set of quantities.
Output: It must yield at least one well-defined output quantity (O≥1) that possesses a clear relationship to the initial inputs.
Definiteness (Unambiguousness): Each step of the algorithm must be clear, precise, and completely unambiguous. There should be exactly one interpretation of what needs to be executed.
Finiteness: The algorithm must terminate after a finite number of execution steps (N < \infty). It cannot run into an infinite loop during processing.
Effectiveness (Feasibility): Every instruction must be basic enough to be carried out using pencil and paper in a finite amount of time.
Analysis of the Options
Option | Characteristic | Status | Explanation |
(a) | Input | Valid | Essential for initializing state variables and supplying datasets to the logic. |
(b) | Output | Valid | Essential for returning computed solutions, flags, or transformations. |
(c) | Scalable | Invalid | Scalability is a desirable system architectural or performance design goal, but it is not a defining structural characteristic required for a sequence to be an algorithm. A poorly scaling algorithm is still an algorithm. |
(d) | Definiteness | Valid | Guarantees that the instructions are mathematically precise and executable without ambiguity. |
Therefore, Scalable is not counted among the foundational core attributes of an algorithm, making (c) the correct option.
