ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • LEVEL 19 — FILES AND FILE ORGANIZATION

Search File Blocks with a Primary Index

Learn how to search file blocks with a primary index using a clear C program.

AdvancedRecord organizationSecondary storage

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input

No input required

Sample output

Block = 1 Slot = 1

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
    int first_key[]={10,40,70},records[][3]={{10,20,30},{40,50,60},{70,80,90}},target=50,block=0;while(block+1<3&&first_key[block+1]<=target)block++;int slot=-1;for(int i=0;i<3;i++)if(records[block][i]==target)slot=i;printf("Block = %d Slot = %d\n",block,slot);return 0;
}

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

No line selected

EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

Block = 1 Slot = 1

0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

Read the required input values.
Use one index entry per sorted block, then scan only the selected data block.
Display the computed result.

Use one index entry per sorted block, then scan only the selected data block.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(log blocks + block size)

Auxiliary space

O(block count)

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.