This document provides an overview of algorithms including definitions, characteristics, design, and analysis. It defines an algorithm as a finite step-by-step procedure to solve a problem and discusses their key characteristics like input, definiteness, effectiveness, finiteness, and output. The document outlines the design of algorithms using pseudo-code and their analysis in terms of time and space complexity using asymptotic notations like Big O, Big Omega, and Big Theta. Examples are provided to illustrate linear search time complexity and the use of different notations to determine algorithm efficiency.