In this post, we will learn the difference between Linear Search and Binary Search in Java. This is a frequently asked question in Java interviews for beginners. Let's dive into it.
Feature | Linear Search | Binary Search |
---|---|---|
Search Space | Linear search is performed on an unsorted list (array) of elements. | Binary search requires a sorted list (array) of elements. |
Search Strategy | Linear search checks each element one by one in a sequential manner until the target element is found or the entire list is exhausted. | Binary search divides the search space in half with each comparison, efficiently reducing the search space. |
Time Complexity | Linear search has an average and worst-case time complexity of O(n), where n is the number of elements in the list. | Binary search has an average and worst-case time complexity of O(log n), where n is the number of elements in the list. |
Sorted Requirement | Linear search does not require the list to be sorted. | Binary search requires the list to be sorted in ascending or descending order. |
Search Efficiency | Linear search is suitable for small-sized or unsorted lists. | Binary search is efficient for large-sized sorted lists, as it significantly reduces the search space with each comparison. |
Implementation | Linear search is straightforward to implement with a simple loop. | Binary search is typically implemented using a recursive or iterative approach. |
Search Complexity | Linear search has a linear search complexity. | Binary search has a logarithmic search complexity. |
Example | Linear Search Example: Searching for 5 in [2, 8, 3, 10, 7, 5] | Binary Search Example: Searching for 5 in [2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10] |
Algorithms
Interview Questions
Java
X vs Y
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