Question

The ___________ search algorithm steps sequentially through an array, comparing each item with the search value.

Short answer

Explain the process of a sequential search algorithm, and how it operates when searching for a given value in an array.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the problem

We have an array of elements and a search value. The task is to find the search value in the array using the sequential search algorithm.

Set up the initial conditions

Start at the beginning of the array, i.e., set the index variable i to 0.

Compare the search value with the current array element

Compare the search value with the array element at index i (array[i]).

Check for a match

If the search value is equal to array[i], then we have found a match, and the search can be terminated.

Move to the next element

If the search value does not match the current element, increment the index variable i by 1 to move to the next element in the array.

Check if the end of the array has been reached

If the index variable i is equal to or greater than the length of the array, then the search value is not present in the array, and the search can be terminated.

Repeat steps 3 to 6

Continue repeating steps 3 to 6 until either a match is found or the end of the array has been reached.

Return the result

If a match was found in step 4, return the index i at which the match occurred; otherwise, return a value indicating that the search value was not found in the array, typically -1.