Search Algorithms
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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the search algorithm that is used by most search engines?

Boyer-Moore searching

What is the name of the type of search that finds all words that start with a specific set of letters?

prefix searching

What is the name of the process of finding a specific element in a dataset?

Searching

What is the name of the data structure that is used to store information in a way that allows for efficient retrieval?

<p>Data structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an array?

<p>It is a dynamic data structure that can grow or shrink in size. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the search algorithm that performs a linear scan of the array, comparing each element to the target value?

<p>Linear Search</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the time complexity of the linear search algorithm in the best case?

<p>O(1) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the time complexity of the linear search algorithm in the average case?

<p>O(n) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the binary search algorithm to work correctly?

<p>The data must be unique. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the search algorithm that repeatedly divides the search interval in half?

<p>Binary Search</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the time complexity of the binary search algorithm in the worst case?

<p>O(log n) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The binary search algorithm can only be used on sorted arrays.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The binary search algorithm is generally faster than the linear search algorithm.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an advantage of using the ArrayList class in Java?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The binary search algorithm is suitable for searching through a list of data that is not sorted.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The linear search algorithm is less efficient than the binary search algorithm.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The binary search algorithm is a recursive algorithm.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The best case scenario for both the linear search and binary search algorithms is the same.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The binary search algorithm is always faster than the linear search algorithm, regardless of the data size.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Both the linear search and binary search algorithms can be used to search for data in unsorted lists.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Search Algorithm

A fundamental algorithm in computer science that involves searching for a specific element within a collection of data. It plays a vital role in various applications, such as finding a word inside a text editor or a web page in a browser.

Linear Search

A type of search algorithm where the search element is compared with each element of the data structure sequentially until a match is found.

How Linear Search Works

Linear Search is a fundamental search algorithm that involves traversing through the elements of a data structure, typically an array, one by one, comparing each element with the target element. It continues this process until a match is found or the entire data structure has been traversed.

Binary Search

A specific type of search algorithm that requires the data to be sorted in a specific order, typically ascending or descending. It leverages the sorted nature of the data to significantly optimize the search process.

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How Binary Search Works

Binary Search is an efficient search algorithm that operates on sorted data structures. It repeatedly divides the search space in half by comparing the target element with the middle element. If the middle element is the target, the search is complete. Otherwise, the search continues in either the left or right half of the data structure, depending on whether the target element is smaller or larger than the middle element.

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Array

A data structure used to store a collection of elements of the same data type. It consists of contiguous memory locations, with each element having a unique index.

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Index (Array)

A number that represents the position of an element within an array. It starts from 0 for the first element and progresses incrementally for subsequent elements.

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Array List

A data structure designed to store a collection of elements in a particular order. It uses a dynamic approach, allowing elements to be inserted and removed efficiently while maintaining a consistent order.

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Sorting

The process of sorting the elements of a data structure according to a defined order, typically ascending or descending.

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Time Complexity

A time-based measure of the efficiency of an algorithm. It describes the computational complexity of an algorithm, indicating how the runtime grows with the input size.

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Hash Table

A data structure typically implemented using a hash table. It comprises a collection of key-value pairs, where each key maps to a specific value.

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Hash Function

A hash function maps data to a specific index within a hash table. It determines the location of an element based on its key, providing efficient access to the value associated with the key.

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Boyer-Moore Searching

A popular, efficient, and commonly used search algorithm known for its speed. It is often employed in text editors and other applications where finding patterns within text is essential.

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Prefix Searching

A type of search algorithm that searches for words starting with a specific prefix. It is commonly used in search engines, dictionaries, and web browsers.

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Search Key

The key, sometimes called the search element, is the value that we're searching for in a data structure.

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Data Structure

The data structure in which the search operation is performed. It can be an array, an ArrayList, a hash table, a tree, or any other data structure.

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Data Set

A collection of data that we want to search, often organized in a specific way. The goal of a search algorithm is to find a specific element within this collection.

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Search Result

The outcome of a search operation. If the search key is found in the data set, the search is considered successful. Otherwise, the search is unsuccessful.

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Search Efficiency

The efficiency of a search algorithm is measured by the number of comparisons required to find the target element. A more efficient search algorithm requires fewer comparisons, resulting in faster search performance.

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Base Case

A specific condition that defines the end of a recursive function or algorithm. It ensures that the algorithm does not run indefinitely.

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Divide and Conquer (Algorithm Design)

The process of breaking down a problem into smaller, similar subproblems, often using recursive functions. It is a fundamental technique in computer science.

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Search Algorithm Optimization

They can improve performance and efficiency through the application of various techniques, such as optimized data structures, algorithms, and techniques to handle large datasets.

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Comparison (Search Algorithms)

The process of identifying and comparing elements within a collection of data. It is a fundamental operation in many search algorithms.

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Hash Table

A specific type of data structure designed to store and retrieve data efficiently, often using a hash function to map keys to values.

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Hashing

The process of converting a key into a numerical index that determines its location within a hash table.

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Data Structure (Definition)

A collection of data that is organized and structured in a particular way. It can be a simple array, a linked list, a tree, or a more complex data structure.

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Linked List

A data structure involving a collection of nodes where each node contains a value and a reference (or link) to another node. The nodes are connected in a linear chain, forming a sequence of elements.

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Algorithmics

The branch of computer science that deals with the design, analysis, and implementation of algorithms. It focuses on how algorithms can be used to solve problems efficiently.

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Algorithm

A specific set of instructions or steps that are followed in a specific order to solve a particular problem. It provides a well-defined method for performing a task.

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Complexity (Algorithm)

A measure of the efficiency of an algorithm, indicating how the algorithm's resource usage (e.g., time, memory) grows with the size of the input. It provides a way to compare the performance of different algorithms.

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Algorithm Implementation

The process of converting an algorithm into a computer program, typically using a specific programming language. It involves translating the logical steps of the algorithm into instructions that can be executed by a computer.

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Study Notes

Search Algorithms

  • Search algorithms are fundamental to computer science, used to locate specific data within a larger dataset.
  • Different search methods exist, each with varying efficiency depending on the data structure and desired outcome.
  • Linear search is a simple method that sequentially checks each element until a match is found. It is suitable for small, unsorted datasets.
  • Binary search is a more efficient approach, requiring a sorted dataset. It repeatedly divides the search interval in half, eliminating half of the remaining data in each step. This makes it much faster for larger sorted datasets than linear search.
  • Linear search checks each element of a dataset one by one until a match is found or the end of the dataset is reached.
  • For a dataset of size N, the worst-case scenario requires N comparisons.
  • Simple to implement, but less efficient for substantial datasets.
  • Binary search requires a sorted dataset.
  • It repeatedly divides the search interval in half, eliminating half of the data in each step.
  • In the worst case, and if the element is found, the number of comparisons required is proportional to log₂N. This dramatically improves efficiency for large data sets.

Algorithm Complexity

  • The efficiency of a search algorithm is measured by its time complexity (i.e how long the algorithm will take to run). This is denoted with "O(n)", "O(log n)" etc
  • Time complexity describes the rate at which that runtime grows with the input size.

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental search algorithms used in computer science, including linear and binary search methods. It highlights their differences, efficiencies, and appropriate use cases for different types of datasets. Test your knowledge on how these algorithms operate and when to use them effectively.

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