DSA · Theory

Linear Search

Theory

45/810

Linear Search

Linear Search is a DSA topic. In plain words you use it for find roll 12 in a sorted list. Don’t start with a slogan — start with that picture.

Smallest example: linear vs binary. Type it, run it, and say what you see. If you can do that from memory, you know Linear Search.

From the example next to this theory — Linear search checks items one by one — O(n).

Trap — binary search on unsorted data. Fix that before you talk about advanced DSA.

Viva — what is Linear Search? Then show linear vs binary. Then name the trap.

Exam tip

What is Linear Search? Show this: linear vs binary. Trap: binary search on unsorted data.

Example

def linear_search(arr, target):
    for i, x in enumerate(arr):
        if x == target:
            return i
    return -1

print(linear_search([4, 2, 9, 1], 9))

Linear search checks items one by one — O(n).

Short notes

DefLinear Search — find roll 12 in a sorted list.
Rulelinear vs binary
Trapbinary search on unsorted data
Usea sorted list

DSA · Theory

Linear Search

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Theory

45/810

Linear Search

Linear Search is a DSA topic. In plain words you use it for find roll 12 in a sorted list. Don’t start with a slogan — start with that picture.

Smallest example: linear vs binary. Type it, run it, and say what you see. If you can do that from memory, you know Linear Search.

From the example next to this theory — Linear search checks items one by one — O(n).

Trap — binary search on unsorted data. Fix that before you talk about advanced DSA.

Viva — what is Linear Search? Then show linear vs binary. Then name the trap.

Exam tip

What is Linear Search? Show this: linear vs binary. Trap: binary search on unsorted data.

Example

def linear_search(arr, target):
    for i, x in enumerate(arr):
        if x == target:
            return i
    return -1

print(linear_search([4, 2, 9, 1], 9))

Linear search checks items one by one — O(n).

Short notes

DefLinear Search — find roll 12 in a sorted list.
Rulelinear vs binary
Trapbinary search on unsorted data
Usea sorted list

Linear Search

Example

Short notes

Questions

Linear Search

Example

Short notes

Questions