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Binary Search Algorithm

The binary search algorithm is an efficient method for finding a specific element in a sorted list, operating with a time complexity of O(log n). It works by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half, comparing the target value to the middle element, and narrowing down the search to either the left or right sublist until the element is found or the sublist is empty. The document includes a step-by-step implementation of the algorithm in C programming language.

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Naresh Sammeta
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2 views

Binary Search Algorithm

The binary search algorithm is an efficient method for finding a specific element in a sorted list, operating with a time complexity of O(log n). It works by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half, comparing the target value to the middle element, and narrowing down the search to either the left or right sublist until the element is found or the sublist is empty. The document includes a step-by-step implementation of the algorithm in C programming language.

Uploaded by

Naresh Sammeta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Binary Search Algorithm

What is Search?
Search is a process of finding a value in a list of values. In other words, searching is the
process of locating given value position in a list of values.

Binary Search Algorithm


Binary search algorithm finds a given element in a list of elements with O(log n) time
complexity where n is total number of elements in the list. The binary search algorithm can
be used with only a sorted list of elements. That means the binary search is used only with a
list of elements that are already arranged in an order. The binary search can not be used for a
list of elements arranged in random order. This search process starts comparing the search
element with the middle element in the list. If both are matched, then the result is "element
found". Otherwise, we check whether the search element is smaller or larger than the middle
element in the list. If the search element is smaller, then we repeat the same process for the
left sublist of the middle element. If the search element is larger, then we repeat the same
process for the right sublist of the middle element. We repeat this process until we find the
search element in the list or until we left with a sublist of only one element. And if that
element also doesn't match with the search element, then the result is "Element not found in
the list".

Binary search is implemented using following steps...

 Step 1 - Read the search element from the user.


 Step 2 - Find the middle element in the sorted list.
 Step 3 - Compare the search element with the middle element in the sorted list.
 Step 4 - If both are matched, then display "Given element is found!!!" and terminate
the function.
 Step 5 - If both are not matched, then check whether the search element is smaller or
larger than the middle element.
 Step 6 - If the search element is smaller than middle element, repeat steps 2, 3, 4 and
5 for the left sublist of the middle element.
 Step 7 - If the search element is larger than middle element, repeat steps 2, 3, 4 and 5
for the right sublist of the middle element.
 Step 8 - Repeat the same process until we find the search element in the list or until
sublist contains only one element.
 Step 9 - If that element also doesn't match with the search element, then display
"Element is not found in the list!!!" and terminate the function.

Example
Consider the following list of elements and the element to be searched...
Implementation of Binary Search
Algorithm using C Programming Language
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>

void main()
{
int first, last, middle, size, i, sElement, list[100];
clrscr();

printf("Enter the size of the list: ");


scanf("%d",&size);

printf("Enter %d integer values in Assending order\n", size);

for (i = 0; i < size; i++)


scanf("%d",&list[i]);

printf("Enter value to be search: ");


scanf("%d", &sElement);

first = 0;
last = size - 1;
middle = (first+last)/2;

while (first <= last) {


if (list[middle] < sElement)
first = middle + 1;
else if (list[middle] == sElement) {
printf("Element found at index %d.\n",middle);
break;
}
else
last = middle - 1;

middle = (first + last)/2;


}
if (first > last)
printf("Element Not found in the list.");
getch();
}

Output

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