What does the term 'binary search' refer to in computer science?

Binary search is a search algorithm that is specifically designed to efficiently find the position of a target value within a sorted array. The fundamental principle behind binary search is that it divides the search interval in half with each iteration. This method starts by comparing the target value to the middle element of the array. If the target value is equal to the middle element, the search is successful. If the target is less than the middle element, the search continues in the left half of the array; if it’s greater, the search continues in the right half.

This halving process significantly reduces the number of comparisons needed to find the target value, operating with a time complexity of O(log n), where n is the number of elements in the array. This efficiency makes binary search an essential technique in computer science for situations where quick retrieval of information is needed from large datasets.

The other options refer to different concepts that do not correctly define binary search, such as methods for organizing data, techniques for analyzing time complexity, or encryption methods, which all serve distinct purposes in computer science.