8.1.8

Search Algorithms

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Search Algorithms

Searching is a classic computer science problem. It involves finding a certain value in a set of other values.

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Search algorithms

  • A search algorithm is a set of instructions for finding a specific item of data within a data set.
  • Computer systems can store and process billions of pieces of data so it is vital that computers can find the information they need efficiently.
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Effective searching

  • An effective search is one which will always either find the solution or determine that the target data is not present.
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Efficient searching

  • An efficient search will find the solution quickly regardless of its location within the data set.
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Examples of search algorithms

  • Two common search algorithms are:
    • Linear search.
    • Binary search.

Jump to other topics

1Components of a Computer

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.2Thinking Ahead

6.3Thinking Procedurally

6.4Thinking Logically

6.5Thinking Concurrently

7Problem Solving & Programming

8Algorithms

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