A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

What is required to search for an element in a standard one-dimensional array?

1. Two indexes

2. One index

3. A special search key

4. A loop

The correct answer is: One index

To search for an element in a standard one-dimensional array, identifying the position of the element typically requires the use of a single index, which refers to the specific location in the array where the desired value is stored. This index allows you to access and evaluate the value at that location in the array. While it is true that more complex searching algorithms or scenarios might involve additional considerations, such as utilizing loops for iteration or keys that aid in search efficiency, the fundamental action of locating an element in a one-dimensional array primarily hinges on the use of one index to directly reference a position. In practice, this means you will usually initiate a search either by directly accessing the index if you know it, or by iterating over the indices of the array (typically using a loop) to compare values. However, even in cases where a loop is involved, the concept of searching inherently relies on referencing one index at a time to check each element sequentially.