What is a binary search algorithm used for?

A binary search algorithm is specifically designed for quickly locating a target value within a sorted array. It operates by repeatedly dividing the search range in half, thus significantly reducing the number of comparisons needed to find the desired element, compared to linear search methods.

The algorithm begins by comparing the target value to the middle element of the array. If the middle element is equal to the target, the search is complete. If the target is less than the middle element, the algorithm narrows the search to the left half of the array; if greater, it shifts to the right half. This process continues until the target value is found or the search space is exhausted.

Binary search is particularly efficient, with a time complexity of O(log n), making it a preferred choice when dealing with large datasets where the array is already sorted. Understanding this context highlights the algorithm's strength in its use case of searching rather than sorting or finding specific values like maximums or duplicates.