What does it mean for an algorithm to terminate?

An algorithm is said to terminate when it eventually reaches a conclusion after a finite number of steps. This means that the algorithm successfully completes its intended task and provides an output or result based on the inputs it has processed. Termination is a critical property of algorithms, particularly in programming, because it ensures that when an algorithm is implemented, it will not run forever and will provide a definite answer or outcome.

In contrast to other options, such as ending after an infinite loop or running indefinitely, these scenarios describe behaviors that are undesirable in well-defined algorithms. Options highlighting the need for extensive computing resources do not specifically address the termination aspect. Hence, the essence of an algorithm's termination lies in its ability to complete its operations within a manageable and finite time, leading to a definitive conclusion.