What is the binary search algorithm used for?

Binary search is an efficient algorithm for finding an element in a sorted array. It works by comparing the target value to the middle element of the current search interval. If they are equal, the element is found. If the target is less, the search continues in the left half; if greater, in the right half. This process repeats until the element is found or the search interval is empty. The advantage over linear search is its logarithmic time complexity, O(log n), compared to O(n) for linear search, making it much faster for large arrays. Applications include dictionary and database searches (indexes), sorting algorithms (like merge sort), finding roots of equations, and searching in data structures like B-trees.