C program to implement linear/ sequential search

In this tutorial, we will learn how to write a C program to implement a linear/sequential search algorithm? By IncludeHelp Last updated : August 10, 2023

Linear or Sequential searching algorithm is used to find the item in a list, This algorithm consist the checking every item in the list until the desired (required) item is found.
This searching algorithm is very simple to use and understand.

Problem statement

Input an array of integers, and write a C program to implement a linear/sequential search to find an element from the given array.

C program to implement linear/ sequential search

/*
program to implement Linear Searching,
to find an element in array.
*/

#include <stdio.h>

#define MAX 5

/**     
function:linearSearch()
to search an element.
**/
int linearSearch(int* a, int n)
{
    int i, pos = -1;

    for (i = 0; i < MAX; i++) {
        if (a[i] == n) {
            pos = i;
            break;
        }
    }
    return pos;
}

int main()
{
    int i, n, arr[MAX];
    int num; /* element to search*/
    int position;

    printf("\nEnter array elements:\n");
    for (i = 0; i < MAX; i++)
        scanf("%d", &arr[i]);

    printf("\nNow enter element to search :");
    scanf("%d", &num);

    /* calling linearSearch function*/

    position = linearSearch(arr, num);

    if (num == -1)
        printf("Element not found.\n");
    else
        printf("Element found @ %d position.\n", position);

    return 0;
}

Output

Enter array elements:
10
20
15
30
40

Now enter element to search :15
Element found @ 2 position.