Binary search is an efficient algorithm for finding an element within a sorted array. It works by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half, significantly reducing the number of comparisons needed compared to linear search.
Core Characteristics
- Requires the data structure to be sorted
- Efficient for large datasets due to its logarithmic time complexity
- Reduces the search space by half with each step
Key Operations
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Search() This operation divides the search interval in half and compares the target element with the middle element. If the target is equal to the middle element, the search is complete. Otherwise, the search continues in the left or right half, depending on the comparison.. Complexity: O(log n) - Logarithmic time operation
Common Applications
- Searching in large, sorted datasets
- Used in scenarios where efficiency is critical
- Applicable in database indexing and memory management