What are some applications of binary search in C++?

What are some applications of binary search in C++?

Binary search is commonly used in various applications such as:

1. Searching in sorted arrays or lists.
2. Finding the square root of a number.
3. Solving optimization problems.
4. Implementing efficient algorithms like binary search trees.

Can you explain how binary search works?

Sure! Binary search works by dividing a sorted array into halves. It compares the target value to the middle element:

• If the target is equal to the middle element, the search is complete.
• If the target is less, it continues in the left half.
• If greater, it continues in the right half. This process repeats until the target is found or the subarray size is zero.

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 efficiency comes from the halving of the search space with each comparison.

Are there any limitations to using binary search?

Yes, binary search has some limitations:

1. It requires the array to be sorted beforehand.
2. It may not be efficient for small datasets compared to linear search.
3. It cannot be applied to data structures that do not allow random access.