why is it preferable to use a linear search when searching smaller datasets?

Answer 1

Linear search is preferable for smaller datasets because it has a time complexity of O(n), where n is the size of the dataset. This means that the time taken to search through the dataset increases linearly with the size of the dataset.

For smaller datasets, the time taken to search through the entire dataset using a linear search is relatively small. Additionally, linear search does not require any additional memory or pre-processing of the dataset, making it simple and easy to implement.

In contrast, other search algorithms, such as binary search or hash tables, have more efficient time complexities and are better suited for larger datasets. These algorithms often require additional memory and pre-processing steps, which may not be necessary or efficient for smaller datasets.