This textbook's main goal is “to show that the subject of algorithms is a powerful lens through which to view the field of computer science in general.” Algorithms are not typically neatly packaged problems and as a result consist of two fundamental components: the task of getting to the mathematically clean core of a problem, and then the task of identifying the appropriate algorithm design techniques. We will begin to approach algorithms as a design process that builds on an understanding of algorithm design techniques and results in the development of efficient solutions to these problems.