What Is The Difference Between Binary Search And Linear Search?

What Is The Difference Between Binary Search And Linear Search?

Welcome to our exploration of two fundamental search algorithms: binary search and linear search. In the realm of computer science and programming, these techniques play pivotal roles in efficiently locating specific elements within a collection of data. Whether you are an aspiring programmer, a curious enthusiast, or a seasoned developer seeking a refresher, this article will delve into the key distinctions and inner workings of binary search and linear search.

Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries behind these search algorithms and discover when and how to best utilize them in solving real-world problems. Let’s dive in and understand the fundamental differences between these two essential methods of data retrieval.

Linear Search

Linear search, also called sequential search, is a way to find something in a random list of stuff. You start from the beginning and check each item one by one. If you find what you’re looking for, you tell the position. If not, you keep going until the end of the list. If you still can’t find it, you say “Sorry, I couldn’t find it” by returning -1. It’s a simple method, but it can take a while for large lists or if the thing you want is far down the list. There are smarter ways to find things faster, but this is the basic one.

Code Syntax for the Linear Search.

/ Linear Search in C++ #include <iostream> usingnamespacestd; intsearch(intarray[], intn, intx){     // Going through array sequencially     for(inti = 0; i < n; i++)         if(array[i] == x)             returni;     return-1;}

Binary Search

In binary search, we use a smarter way to find something in a sorted list. Instead of checking each item one by one like in linear search, we start by looking at the middle item of the list. If the middle item is what we’re looking for, great, we’re done! But if it’s not, we know whether the item we want is in the first half or the second half of the list.

So, we cut down our search to half right away. If the middle item is greater than what we’re looking for, we know the item we want must be in the first half of the list. Otherwise, it must be in the second half. Hence, Binary search is more efficient than linear search, especially for large sorted lists, because it eliminates half of the remaining search space at each step, searching faster.

Code Syntax for the Binary Search

#include <iostream> usingnamespacestd; intbinarySearch(intarray[], intx, intlow, inthigh){     // Repeat until the pointers low and high meet each     // other     while(low <= high) {         intmid = low + (high - low) / 2;        if(array[mid] == x)            returnmid;         if(array[mid] < x)             low = mid + 1;         else             high = mid - 1;     }     return-1; }

Main Difference Of Linear Search and Binary Search

Linear Search	Binary Search
In linear search, input data doesn’t need to be sorted .	Whereas, in binary search, input data has to be sorted according to the order.
It is also referred as sequential search.	It is also referred to as half-interval search.
The time complexity of the linear search is O(n)	The time complexity of the binary search is 0 (logn)
Multi-dimensional array is used for linear search.	A single dimensional array is used for linear search.
It operates equality comparisons	Binary search operates ordering comparisons
Linear search is less complex and involves a slow process	Binary search is more complex and has a fast process

Conclusion

Linear search is simple and works with any type of list, whether it’s sorted or not. It checks each item one by one, starting from the beginning, until it finds the target item or reaches the end of the list. While easy to understand, it may be slow for large lists, especially if the item is far down the list.

On the other hand, binary search is more efficient, but it requires the list to be sorted. It starts by checking the middle item and narrows down the search to half the list based on whether the target item is greater or smaller than the middle. It keeps repeating this process, cutting down the search space in half with each step, until it finds the target or can’t narrow it down further. Binary search is ideal for large sorted lists, as it quickly finds the target item.

In summary, use linear search for small or unsorted lists, and binary search for large sorted lists when you need faster results. Each method has its strengths, and understanding their differences helps you choose the right approach for your specific problem.

FAQ- What Is The Difference Between Binary Search And Linear Search?