A binary search algorithm is a method to determine the position of a
target value within a sorted array (an ordered list). Binary search
compares the target value to the middle element of the array. If they
are not equal, the half in which the target cannot lie is eliminated and
the search continues on the remaining half, again taking the middle
element to compare to the target value, and so on. If the remaining half
at any stage is found to be empty, then the target is not in the array.
Even though the idea is simple, implementing binary search correctly
requires attention to some subtleties about its exit conditions and
midpoint calculation. Binary search runs in logarithmic time in the
worst case. It is faster than linear search except for small arrays, but
the array must be sorted first. Although specialized data structures
designed for fast searching, such as hash tables, can be searched more
efficiently, binary search applies to a wider range of problems.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_search_algorithm>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1787:
The opera Don Giovanni, based on Don Juan, the legendary
fictional libertine, and composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, premiered
in the Estates Theatre in Prague.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Giovanni>
1948:
Arab–Israeli War: As the Israel Defense Forces captured the
Palestinian Arab village of Safsaf, they massacred at least 52
villagers.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safsaf_massacre>
1998:
At 77 years old as a crew member aboard the Space Shuttle
Discovery on the STS-95 mission, John Glenn became the oldest person to
go to space.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn>
2015:
China announced the abolition of its one-child policy, allowing
families to have two children instead.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
shunt:
1. (transitive) To cause to move (suddenly), as by pushing or shoving;
to give a (sudden) start to.
2. (transitive) To divert to a less important place, position, or state.
3. (transitive) To provide with a shunt.
4. (transitive, computing) To move data in memory to a physical disk.
5. (transitive, electricity) To divert electric current by providing an
alternative path.
6. (transitive, rail transport) To move a train from one track to
another, or to move carriages, etc. from one train to another.
7. (transitive, chiefly road transport, informal, Britain) To have a
minor collision, especially in a motor car.
8. (transitive, surgery) To divert the flow of a body fluid.
9. (transitive, obsolete, Britain, dialectal) To turn aside or away; to
divert.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/shunt>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
Take care that thou be not made a fool by flatterers, for even
the wisest men are abused by these. Know, therefore, that flatterers are
the worst kind of traitors; for they will strengthen thy imperfections,
encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing; but so shadow and
paint all thy vices and follies, as thou shalt never, by their will,
discern evil from good, or vice from virtue. And, because all men are
apt to flatter themselves, to entertain the additions of other men's
praises is most perilous. Do not therefore praise thyself, except thou
wilt be counted a vain-glorious fool; neither take delight in the
praises of other men, except thou deserve it, and receive it from such
as are worthy and honest, and will withal warn thee of thy faults; for
flatterers have never any virtue — they are ever base, creeping,
cowardly persons. … But it is hard to know them from friends, they
are so obsequious and full of protestations; for as a wolf resembles a
dog, so doth a flatterer a friend.
--Walter Raleigh
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Walter_Raleigh>