Linear Search Algorithm with Recursion

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In the world of Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), Linear Search is a fundamental sequential search algorithm that has evolved over time as part of the fundamental computer science and algorithm knowledge. This article focuses on the recursive implementation of Linear Search, a method not commonly discussed but offers an interesting perspective.

The pseudocode for Recursive Linear Search is provided, calling itself with a decreased index and the same key. It starts at one end of a list and goes through each element, comparing each with the given key. The recursion continues till the end of the data set if the desired element is not found.

The pseudocode also checks if the index is less than 0, and if so, returns -1. If an item equals the key, it returns the index. This recursive implementation does not utilize recursion stack space, making it an efficient solution in terms of auxiliary space complexity, which is O(1).

In the best case, the time complexity of Recursive Linear Search is O(1), as the desired element is found on the first try. However, in the worst case, where the element is not in the list, the time complexity is O(N), where N is the size of the list. The average time complexity is O(N).

It's important to note that Linear Search, including its recursive implementation, does not have a single known inventor. It is a basic search method that has been a part of the computer science and algorithm knowledge for decades.

This article is written by Kartik, a computer science enthusiast with a passion for exploring and explaining the intricacies of DSA. If you found this article interesting, stay tuned for more insights into the world of Data Structures and Algorithms.