Exponential Search
Exponential search is an algorithm for searching sorted arrays by first finding a range where the target element might be located, then performing a binary search within that range. It works by doubling the index (exponentially increasing) until it finds an element greater than or equal to the target, then narrowing down with binary search. This makes it efficient for unbounded or infinite lists and for cases where the target is near the beginning of the array.
Developers should learn exponential search when working with sorted data where the size is unknown or potentially infinite, such as in streaming data or large datasets where binary search alone is impractical. It is particularly useful in scenarios where the target element is likely to be near the start, as it can find it quickly with fewer comparisons than a full binary search, and it's commonly applied in algorithms for searching in unbounded lists or in combination with other search techniques.