binary sorting

Binary Sorting in C

Binary sorting, also known as binary search, is an efficient algorithm for finding a specific value in a sorted array. It works by repeatedly dividing the search space in half until the target value is found or determined to be absent. Here is an explanation of each step involved in binary sorting:

  1. Initialize Variables: Start by initializing variables to keep track of the lower and upper bounds of the search space. Set the lower bound to the first index of the array and the upper bound to the last index of the array.

  2. Calculate Midpoint: Calculate the midpoint of the search space by taking the average of the lower and upper bounds. This can be done using the formula (lower + upper) / 2.

  3. Compare Target Value: Compare the target value with the value at the midpoint of the search space. If they are equal, the target value has been found at the midpoint index. Return the index and exit the algorithm.

  4. Adjust Bounds: If the target value is less than the value at the midpoint, update the upper bound to be one less than the midpoint index. This restricts the search space to the lower half of the array. If the target value is greater than the value at the midpoint, update the lower bound to be one more than the midpoint index. This restricts the search space to the upper half of the array.

  5. Repeat: Repeat steps 2-4 until the target value is found or the lower bound becomes greater than the upper bound. If the lower bound becomes greater than the upper bound, the target value is not present in the array.

  6. Return Result: If the target value is found, return the index at which it was found. If the target value is not found, return a special value (e.g., -1) to indicate its absence.

It is important to note that binary sorting requires the array to be sorted in ascending order for the algorithm to work correctly. If the array is not sorted, the results will be unpredictable.

I hope this explanation helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.