What is a binary search?

A binary search is a highly efficient algorithm used to find an element in a sorted list. The core principle behind the binary search is to take advantage of the sorted nature of the data. By repeatedly dividing the search interval in half, the algorithm narrows down the potential location of the desired element.

When the search begins, it evaluates the middle element of the sorted list. If this middle element matches the target value, the search concludes successfully. If the target value is smaller than the middle element, the algorithm then continues the search in the left half of the list; conversely, if the target value is larger, the search proceeds in the right half. This halving process repeats until the target is found or the search interval is empty.

This method is much more efficient than a linear approach, which checks each element one by one, especially in large datasets. By utilizing the order of the elements, binary search dramatically reduces the number of comparisons needed, making it a critical algorithm in computer science.