The binary search algorithm is a fast and efficient way to search for an element in a sorted array. The key idea is to divide the array in half and compare the target element with the middle element. 1. Initialize two pointers, low and high, to the start and end of the array respectively. 2. Calculate the middle index as (low + high) / 2. 3. Compare the target element with the middle element. a. If they are equal, return the index. b. If the target is less than the middle element, set high = middle - 1. c. If the target is greater than the middle element, set low = middle + 1. 4. Repeat steps 2-3 until the element is found or low is greater than high. Binary search has a time complexity of O(log n), making it much faster than linear search. However, it requires the array to be sorted beforehand. This algorithm is commonly used in programming, especially in scenarios where quick searching is needed in large datasets. Understanding and mastering the binary search algorithm is crucial for any computer scientist or programmer.