What will be the result of a binary search if the target element is not present in the array?

1 question

1 item

Q: What will be the result of a binary search if the target element is not present in the array?

Solution: If the target element is not found, binary search typically returns -1 to indicate absence.

Steps: 9

Step 1: Start with a sorted array and a target element that you want to find.
Step 2: Set two pointers, one at the beginning of the array (left) and one at the end (right).
Step 3: Calculate the middle index of the array using the formula: middle = (left + right) / 2.
Step 4: Compare the element at the middle index with the target element.
Step 5: If the middle element is equal to the target, return the middle index.
Step 6: If the middle element is less than the target, move the left pointer to middle + 1.
Step 7: If the middle element is greater than the target, move the right pointer to middle - 1.
Step 8: Repeat steps 3 to 7 until the left pointer is greater than the right pointer.
Step 9: If the target element is not found after the loop ends, return -1 to indicate that the target is absent.