Bsearch
bsearch is a C standard-library function that performs a binary search on a sorted array using a caller-provided comparison function.
Modern C, Third Edition
bsearch is the C standard-library function that performs a binary search on a sorted array using a comparison function.
- How it is used
- Provides generic binary searching for sorted arrays through a caller-supplied ordering function.
- How deep it goes
- Explains the interface, erased array types, element sizing, and comparator contract without descending into search-loop internals.
- Examples
- Uses unsigned comparison code and contrasts safe relational comparison with overflow-prone integer subtraction.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via the C standard library with correctly sized elements and a consistent comparator.
Modern C
bsearch is a C standard library function that searches a sorted array using a caller-provided comparison function.
- How it is used
- Uses a caller-provided comparator to search sorted arrays without depending on their element type.
- How deep it goes
- Defines the interface and comparator contract, but does not explain the search algorithm’s internal steps.
- Examples
- Uses unsigned comparison code and contrasts it with an overflowing integer subtraction comparator.
- What you can do after
- Apply via the C standard library by supplying correctly sized elements and a consistent comparison function.
Related concepts
- comparison functionuses · A comparison function or strategy compares two values and indicates their relative ordering, and sometimes whether they are equivalent.
- binary searchimplements · Binary search is an algorithm that locates a target or boundary in an ordered collection by repeatedly comparing with a midpoint and halving the remaining search range.
- function pointer typeused by · A function pointer is a value that designates a callable function and can be stored, passed, or invoked indirectly.
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