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Binary Search vs Linear Search — Visualized in React with No Libraries

DEV Community·Amar Gul·21 days ago
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As a Senior React developer I wanted to show exactly WHY binary search exists — not just explain it with words. So I built a side by side comparison showing both algorithms running on the same array searching for the same target. The Visual Difference Linear search checks every element from left to right. Predictable but slow. Binary search goes straight to the middle. Higher or lower? Eliminate half. Repeat. Tech Stack React functional components useState for animation state useRef for timeout management Zero external animation libraries The Key Code Two separate animation pipelines running sequentially — linear first, then binary: \ `javascript // Linear search steps for (let i = 0; i < array.length; i++) { steps.push({ checking: i }); if (array[i] === target) break; } // Binary search steps while (low <= high) { const mid = Math.floor((low + high) / 2); steps.push({ middle: mid, eliminated }); if (array[mid] === target) break; else if (array[mid] < target) low = mid + 1; else high = mid - 1; } `…

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