NIST

search

(algorithm)

Definition: To look for a value or item in a data structure. There are dozens of algorithms, data structures, and approaches.

See also array, binary search, B-tree, dictionary, hash table, heap, inverted index, linked list, quadtree, select kth element, linear search, string matching, select and partition.

Note: For more information, see the data structure in question or terms related to searching.

Author: PEB


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Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:40 2015.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "search", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Vreda Pieterse and Paul E. Black, eds. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/search.html