BINARY SEARCH ALGORITHM Meaning and
Definition
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A binary search algorithm is a widely used method in computer programming for locating a specific data item within a sorted list or array by repeatedly dividing the search space in half. It is based on the principle of divide and conquer.
The algorithm begins by comparing the target value with the middle element of the list. If they are equal, the search is complete. If the target value is smaller, the search is narrowed to the lower half of the list; otherwise, it is narrowed to the upper half. This process of halving the search space continues until the target value is found or the remaining list becomes empty.
Binary search operates efficiently on sorted data because it eliminates half of the remaining search space at each step. This allows it to swiftly locate the desired item, making it an efficient and quick algorithm. However, for binary search to work correctly, the data must be sorted in ascending or descending order, as it relies on the ability to divide the list equally.
The time complexity of binary search is logarithmic, denoted as O(log n), where n is the number of elements in the list. This makes it an attractive choice for large datasets compared to linear search algorithms, which have a time complexity of O(n). Binary search is widely used in various applications, such as searching in databases, sorting algorithms, and dictionary lookups.
