Linear Search

How Linear Search Works

The Linear Search algorithm is relatively straightforward. To implement it, you start at the beginning of the list and check each element one by one until you find the target element or reach the end. This algorithm is useful in cases where the list is unsorted or when the dataset is small enough that its inefficiency is not a major concern.Here is a step-by-step explanation of how Linear Search works:

• Start at the first element of the list.
• Compare the current element with the target value.
• If the current element matches the target, the search is complete.
• If not, move to the next element.
• Repeat the process until the item is found or the end of the list is reached.

Linear Search Algorithm Explained

The Linear Search algorithm is a straightforward and intuitive method for finding an element in a list or an array. It does not require the data to be sorted and operates by checking each element sequentially.

How Linear Search Works

To effectively use Linear Search, you start from the beginning of the list and examine each item. This process is repeated until the desired element is found or the end of the list is reached.Key steps include:

• Start at the first item.
• Compare the current item to the target value.
• If it matches, the search is successful. Otherwise, proceed to the next item.
• If you reach the list's end without finding the target, the item is not present.

Linear Search Pseudocode

Understanding the pseudocode of Linear Search can help you implement the algorithm in various programming languages. It outlines the essential logical steps required to efficiently solve your search problem.

Analyzing Linear Search Pseudocode

The pseudocode for Linear Search lays out a plan for how the algorithm operates. To grasp the pseudocode better, observe the following steps:1. Initialize a counter or variable to traverse the list.2. Begin with the first element of the list.3. Compare the element with the target value.4. If it matches, return the position of the element.5. If not, move to the next element.6. Repeat until you find the element or the list ends. 7. If the element is not found, return an indicator such as -1.

function linearSearch(list, target):    for i from 0 to length of list - 1 do:        if list[i] equals target then:            return i    return -1

Linear Search Examples

Examples illustrate how a Linear Search functions, enhancing your comprehension of this fundamental search algorithm. They show its real-world applications and limitations in a simple but enlightening way.

Linear Search Exercise

Engaging in exercises helps solidify your understanding of the Linear Search process. Consider the following exercise to test your mastery: You have an unsorted list of characters:

• 'T'
• 'E'
• 'C'
• 'H'
• 'N'
• 'O'
• 'L'
• 'O'
• 'G'
• 'Y'

def linear_search(char_list, target):    for index, char in enumerate(char_list):        if char == target:            return index    return -1characters = ['T', 'E', 'C', 'H', 'N', 'O', 'L', 'O', 'G', 'Y']target = 'O'position = linear_search(characters, target)print(f'The character \'O\' is found at index {position}.')

def linear_search(scores, target):    for i, score in enumerate(scores):        if score == target:            return i    return -1scores = [55, 66, 75, 80, 66, 90]target_score = 75pos = linear_search(scores, target_score)print(f'Score 75 is located at index {pos}.')