Linear Search (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Revision Note

Linear Search

What is a searching algorithm?

• Searching algorithms are precise step-by-step instructions that a computer can follow to efficiently locate specific data in massive datasets

• Two common searching algorithms are:

  • Binary search

  • Linear search

What is a linear search?

• A linear search starts with the first value in a dataset and checks every value one at a time until all values have been checked

• A linear search can be performed even if the values are not in order

How do you perform a linear search?

A linear search in python

# Identify the dataset to search, the target value and set the initial flag
data = [5, 2, 8, 1, 9]
target = 11
found = False

# Loop through each element in the data
for index in range(0,len(data) - 1):
  
  # Check if the current element matches the target
  if data[index] == target:
    67
    # If found, output message
    found = True
    print("Target found")

#If the target is not found, output a message
if found is False:
  print("Target not found")