We basically ignore half of the elements just after one comparison.
Compare x with the middle element.
If x matches with middle element, we return the mid index.
Else If x is greater than the mid element, then x can only lie in right half subarray after the mid element. So we recur for right half.
Else (x is smaller) recur for the left half.
Recursive:
# Python Program for recursive binary search.
# Returns index of x in arr if present, else -1
def binarySearch (arr, l, r, x):
# Check base case
if r >= l:
mid = l + (r - l)/2
# If element is present at the middle itself
if arr[mid] == x:
return mid
# If element is smaller than mid, then it can only
# be present in left subarray
elif arr[mid] > x:
return binarySearch(arr, l, mid-1, x)
# Else the element can only be present in right subarray
else:
return binarySearch(arr, mid+1, r, x)
else:
# Element is not present in the array
return -1
Iterative:
# Iterative Binary Search Function
# It returns location of x in given array arr if present,
# else returns -1
def binarySearch(arr, l, r, x):
while l <= r:
mid = l + (r - l)/2;
# Check if x is present at mid
if arr[mid] == x:
return mid
# If x is greater, ignore left half
elif arr[mid] < x:
l = mid + 1
# If x is smaller, ignore right half
else:
r = mid - 1
# If we reach here, then the element was not present
return -1