Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sequential search is another term for linear search, where each element in a list is checked one by one until the target value is found or the end of the list is reached.
Related terms
Indexing: Indexing refers to assigning a unique identifier (index) to each element in a data structure, such as an array or ArrayList. It allows for efficient access and retrieval of specific elements.
Linear Data Structure: A linear data structure organizes elements sequentially, where each element has a direct predecessor and successor. Examples include arrays, linked lists, and stacks.
Unsorted List: An unsorted list refers to a collection of elements that are not arranged in any particular order. Sequential search can be used to find an element within an unsorted list.