What is binary search and how does it work in programming?

What is binary search and how does it work in programming?

Binary search is an efficient algorithm for finding an item from a sorted list of items. It works by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half.

Can you explain the steps involved in the binary search algorithm?

Sure! The steps are: 1) Start with the middle element of the sorted array. 2) If the middle element is equal to the target, return its index. 3) If the target is less than the middle element, repeat the search on the left half. 4) If the target is greater, repeat on the right half. 5) Continue until the target is found or the interval is empty.

What is the time complexity of binary search?

The time complexity of binary search is O(log n), where n is the number of elements in the array. This makes it much faster than linear search for large datasets.

Can binary search be used on unsorted arrays?

No, binary search requires a sorted array to function correctly. If the array is unsorted, you would need to sort it first.