Search through a list of values, looking for either:

• the largest/smallest value, or
• the location (index) of the largest/smallest value

General Algorithms

Algorithms for finding the minimum are the same, but replacing “>” with “<“, and a change in the variable names.

Find largest value

max = first item in list
for index = rest of list
    if list[index] > max then
        max = list[index]
    end if
next item

Find index of largest value

max = 0
for index = remaining items in list
    if list[index] > list[max] then
        max = index
    end if
next item

Examples

Find largest value

Find index of largest value