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Binary Search
Binary Search is a searching algorithm for finding an
element's position in a sorted array.

In this approach, the element is always searched in the

middle of a portion of an array.

Binary search can be implemented only on a sorted

list of items. If the elements are not sorted already,
we need to sort them first.

Binary Search Working

Binary Search Algorithm can be implemented in two ways
which are discussed below.

1. Iterative Method

2. Recursive Method

The recursive method follows the divide and conquer

(/dsa/divide-and-conquer) approach.

The general steps for both methods are discussed below.

1. The array in which searching is to be performed is:

Initial array

Let x = 4 be the element to be searched.

2. Set two pointers low and high at the lowest and the
highest positions respectively.
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66% 3. Find
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Mid element

4. If x == arr[mid] , then return mid . Else, compare the

element to be searched with arr[mid] .

5. If x > arr[mid] , compare x with the middle element

of the elements on the right side of arr[mid] . This is
done by setting low to low = mid + 1 .

6. Else, compare x with the middle element of the

elements on the left side of arr[mid] . This is done by
setting high to high = mid - 1 .

Finding mid element

7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 until low meets high .

Mid element

8. x = 4 is found.
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Iteration Method

do until the pointers low and high meet each other.

mid = (low + high)/2
if (x == arr[mid])
return mid
else if (x > arr[mid]) // x is on the right side
low = mid + 1
else // x is on the left side
high = mid - 1

Recursive Method

binarySearch(arr, x, low, high)

if low > high
return False
else
mid = (low + high) / 2
if x == arr[mid]
return mid
else if x > arr[mid] // x is on the right
return binarySearch(arr, x, mid + 1, high)
else // x is on the
return binarySearch(arr, x, low, mid - 1)

Python, Java, C/C++ Examples

(Iterative Method)

Python Java C C++

# Binary Search in python

def binarySearch(array, x, low, high):

# Repeat until the pointers low and high meet each o

while low <= high:

mid = low + (high - low)//2

if x == array[mid]:
return mid

elif x > array[mid]:

low = mid + 1

else:
high = mid - 1

return -1

array = [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
x = 4

result = binarySearch(array, x, 0, len(array)-1)

if result != -1:
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# Binary Search in python

def binarySearch(array, x, low, high):

if high >= low:

mid = low + (high - low)//2

# If found at mid, then return it

if x == array[mid]:
return mid

# Search the right half

elif x > array[mid]:
return binarySearch(array, x, mid + 1, high)

# Search the left half

else:
return binarySearch(array, x, low, mid - 1)

else:
return -1

array = [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
x = 4

Binary Search Complexity

Time Complexities

Best case complexity: O(1)

Average case complexity: O(log n)

Worst case complexity: O(log n)

Space Complexity

The space complexity of the binary search is O(1) .

Binary Search Applications

In libraries of Java, .Net, C++ STL
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Next Tutorial:
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Greedy Algorithm

Previous Tutorial:
(/dsa/linear-search)
Linear Search

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