ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • LEVEL 13 — ADVANCED SEARCHING
Find First and Last Occurrences
Learn how to find first and last occurrences using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
First = 1 Last = 3
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
int boundary(const int values[], int count, int target, int first)
{
int low = 0, high = count - 1, answer = -1;
while (low <= high) { int middle = low + (high - low) / 2; if (values[middle] == target) { answer = middle; if (first) high = middle - 1; else low = middle + 1; } else if (values[middle] < target) low = middle + 1; else high = middle - 1; }
return answer;
}
int main(void)
{
int values[] = {1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 7}, target = 2;
int first = boundary(values, 6, target, 1), last = boundary(values, 6, target, 0);
printf("First = %d Last = %d\n", first, last); return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
First = 1 Last = 3
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Run two biased binary searches, continuing left after a match for first and right for last.
- Display the computed result.
Run two biased binary searches, continuing left after a match for first and right for last.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(log n)
Auxiliary space
O(1)
DEBUGGING CHECKLIST
Common mistakes
Check this
Use the correct format specifier for every variable.
Check this
Initialize variables before using their values.
Check this
Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.
Try it yourself
Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.
