Binary Search

What is Binary Search?

Binary search is an efficient algorithm used to find a specific element in a sorted array or list. It works by repeatedly dividing the search space in half until the target element is found or determined to be absent.

How does Binary Search work?

Binary search starts by comparing the target element with the middle element of the array.
- If they are equal, the search is complete.
- If the target element is smaller, the search continues on the lower half of the array;
- otherwise, it continues on the upper half.
This process is repeated until the target element is found or the search space is empty.

Demonstration

Binary Search Demonstration

Have a go with the binary search demonstration below.

Pros & Cons

Pros and Cons of Binary Search

Pros

Efficient searching algorithm
Divides the search space in half with each comparison
Requires a sorted array, ensuring data integrity
Can quickly find a desired element in a large data set

Cons

Requires a sorted array, making initial setup time-consuming
Not suitable for dynamic data sets that frequently change
Cannot handle unsorted or unordered data
Implementation is more complex than a linear search

Python Code

Binary Search Python Code

def binary_search(arr, target):
    low = 0
    high = len(arr) - 1

    while low <= high:
        mid = (low + high) // 2

        if arr[mid] == target:
            return mid
        elif arr[mid] < target:
            low = mid + 1
        else:
            high = mid - 1

    return -1

# Example usage
array = [2, 5, 8, 12, 16, 23, 38, 56, 72, 91]
target = 23

result = binary_search(array, target)

if result != -1:
    print("Element found at index", result)
else:
    print("Element not found")