Which of the following searching technique is to search in which each ...
Concept:
The most fundamental search method is linear search, sometimes referred to as sequential search. In this type of search, we go through the entire list and try to fetch a match for a single element.
If we find a match, then the address of the matching target element is returned.
On the other hand, if the element is not found, then it returns a NULL value.
Algorithm:
linear_search(int a[], int n, int X)
{
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
if (a[i] == X)
return i+1;
}
}
Worst-case:
In the Linear Search Algorithm, the worst-case scenario happens when the item to be found is at the end of the Array or the element is not present in the array. Hence the linear search compares each element till the end. So it takes maximum time behavior in linear search.
Best case:
The best case in the Linear Search Algorithm happens when the item to be found is at the beginning of the Array.
Average case:
In the Linear Search Algorithm, the average scenario happens when the item to be found is somewhere in the center of the Array.
Hence the correct answer is Linear search.
Which of the following searching technique is to search in which each ...
Understanding Linear Search
Linear search, also known as sequential search, is a fundamental searching technique used to find a specific element in a list or array.
How Linear Search Works
- Sequential Element Check: In linear search, each element in the array is checked one by one.
- Iterative Process: The search continues until the desired element is found or all elements have been examined.
- No Sorting Required: This method does not require the list to be sorted, making it versatile for various datasets.
Example of Linear Search
- Consider an array: [3, 5, 2, 9, 7].
- If you are searching for the number 9, the search will start at the first element (3), then move to 5, then to 2, and finally reach 9.
- The search stops as soon as the match is found.
Advantages of Linear Search
- Simplicity: It is straightforward to implement and understand.
- Flexibility: Works on both sorted and unsorted data.
Disadvantages of Linear Search
- Inefficiency: In large datasets, linear search can be slow since it may need to check every element.
- Time Complexity: The average and worst-case time complexity is O(n), where n is the number of elements.
Conclusion
In summary, linear search is the technique where each element is visited sequentially until the target match is found. This characteristic clearly defines it as option 'A' in the provided question.