LeetCode 35 Explained | Search Insert Position in Java (Binary Search Made Simple)

In this video, we solve *LeetCode 35 – Search Insert Position* using an efficient *Binary Search* approach in **Java**.

The goal of this problem is simple:
Given a sorted array of integers, either *find the target value* or *determine the correct index where it should be inserted* to keep the array sorted.

🔍 Intuition

Because the array is already sorted, scanning linearly would be inefficient. Binary Search allows us to **cut the search space in half at every step**, making it the perfect tool for this problem.

🛠️ Approach

Use two pointers: `start` and `end`
Repeatedly compute the middle index
Compare the middle value with the target:

Move right if the target is larger
Move left if the target is smaller
If the target is found, return its index
If not found, return the `start` pointer — this represents the correct insertion position

⏱️ Time & Space Complexity

*Time Complexity:* `O(log n)`
*Space Complexity:* `O(1)` (iterative solution, no extra memory)

💡 Why This Solution Works

Binary Search guarantees efficiency and correctness because:

The array is sorted
The insertion index naturally emerges once the search window collapses

This pattern appears **frequently in coding interviews**, so mastering it is a must 🚀

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