Search algorithm

Introduction:

Search algorithms play a crucial role in retrieving information from data structures efficiently. Whether you’re searching for a specific item in a list, finding the shortest path in a graph, or looking for a particular value in a database, understanding search algorithms is essential in computer science and programming. In this article, we’ll demystify search algorithms and explore their implementation in popular programming languages like C#, JavaScript, Python, and PHP.

Understanding Search Algorithms:

Search algorithms are designed to solve the search problem by efficiently locating information within a given data structure. They can operate on discrete or continuous values and are widely used in various domains, including web search engines, databases, and artificial intelligence systems.

Types of Search Algorithms:

Linear Search:

Description: The simplest search algorithm that checks each element in a data structure until a match is found.

Binary Search:

Description: A more efficient search algorithm that divides the search space in half by comparing the target value with the middle element.

Links

Code Examples

C#
public static int LinearSearch(int[] array, int target)
{
    for (int i = 0; i < array.Length; i++)
    {
        if (array[i] == target)
            return i;
    }
    return -1;
}

JavaScript
function linearSearch(array, target) {
    for (let i = 0; i < array.length; i++) {
        if (array[i] === target)
            return i;
    }
    return -1;
}

Python
def linear_search(array, target):
    for i in range(len(array)):
        if array[i] == target:
            return i
    return -1

PHP
function linearSearch($array, $target) {
    for ($i = 0; $i < count($array); $i++) {
        if ($array[$i] === $target)
            return $i;
    }
    return -1;
}

Conclusion