Any half decent programmer uses algorithms everyday without even knowing it. Algorithm is just another word that encompasses a massive subset of other words that in reality DO NOT matter. A word is of no use if you don't know the definition, but a definition is plenty useful all on its own.
I think that's where people get scared. Just look through many of the examples above and you'll be surprised. There's no mystery to them, and I'm sure many of you (conscious of it or not) have implemented many of those many times.
Algorithm is efficient and concise code. All the different names and acronyms flying around are just a way to apply your efficient and concise code to a particular problem.
The seemingly tougher algorithms make so much more sense when they are applied in a situation of your own. If you start becoming conscious of your uses of code, it'll all get easier.
I'm sure you're doing just fine, and if you stop thinking of the word "algorithm" as some deep dark abyss of complex problems and knowledge, you'll discover it to be something that you may have done before, or it'll be something new to apply to your next project.
I think that's where people get scared. Just look through many of the examples above and you'll be surprised. There's no mystery to them, and I'm sure many of you (conscious of it or not) have implemented many of those many times.
Algorithm is efficient and concise code. All the different names and acronyms flying around are just a way to apply your efficient and concise code to a particular problem.
The seemingly tougher algorithms make so much more sense when they are applied in a situation of your own. If you start becoming conscious of your uses of code, it'll all get easier.
I'm sure you're doing just fine, and if you stop thinking of the word "algorithm" as some deep dark abyss of complex problems and knowledge, you'll discover it to be something that you may have done before, or it'll be something new to apply to your next project.