What type of search algorithm processes items in a linear progression from one end to the other?

The type of search algorithm that processes items in a linear progression from one end to the other is the sequential search. In a sequential search, the algorithm examines each element in a list or array one by one, moving sequentially from the first element to the last. This means that it evaluates each item to determine whether it matches the target value, which makes it a straightforward and easy-to-implement algorithm, particularly for unsorted data.

This method can be inefficient for large datasets, as it has a linear time complexity, meaning the time taken to complete the search increases proportionally with the number of elements. It is often used in simple scenarios or for small datasets where its direct approach is sufficient.

In contrast, a binary search operates on sorted lists and significantly reduces the number of comparisons needed by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half. Recursive search employs a function that calls itself to search through a data structure, often using a similar dividing technique, while jump search skips ahead in fixed increments before going back to search more precisely. Neither of these approaches processes items linearly as sequential search does.