What are the differences between search algorithms?

What are the differences between search algorithms?

Search algorithms are methods for finding specific data within a structure. The main types include linear search, binary search, and more advanced algorithms like A* and Dijkstra's.

Can you explain linear search and binary search?

Sure! Linear search checks each element one by one until it finds the target, while binary search divides the dataset in half, making it much faster but requiring a sorted list.

What are the advantages of using binary search?

Binary search is more efficient than linear search, with a time complexity of O(log n) compared to O(n) for linear search, making it ideal for large datasets.

Are there any other search algorithms I should know about?

Yes, there are several! Algorithms like A* and Dijkstra's are used for pathfinding and graph traversal, while depth-first and breadth-first searches are common in tree structures.