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fix(searches): jump_search returns -1 for empty list (was IndexError) - #15101

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fix(searches): jump_search returns -1 for empty list (was IndexError)#15101
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Describe your change:

Fix jump_search to return -1 for an empty collection instead of raising IndexError.

  • Add an algorithm?
  • Fix a bug or typo in an existing algorithm?
  • Add or change doctests? -- Note: Please avoid changing both code and tests in a single pull request.
  • Documentation change?

Checklist:

  • I have read CONTRIBUTING.md.
  • This pull request is all my own work -- I have not plagiarized.
  • I know that pull requests will not be merged if they fail the automated tests.
  • This PR only changes one algorithm file. To ease review, please open separate PRs for separate algorithms.
  • All new Python files are placed inside an existing directory.
  • All filenames are in all lowercase characters with no spaces or dashes.
  • All functions and variable names follow Python naming conventions.
  • All function parameters and return values are annotated with Python [type hints].
  • All functions have [doctests] that pass the automated testing.
  • All new algorithms include at least one URL that points to Wikipedia or another similar explanation.
  • If this pull request resolves one or more open issues then the description above includes the issue number(s) with a [closing keyword]: "Fixes bug(searches): jump_search raises IndexError for empty list input #15085".

Fixes #15085. jump_search([], 5) raised IndexError because arr[min(step, arr_size) - 1] evaluates arr[-1] on an empty collection. Add an early return -1 for an empty sequence (which cannot contain the target) + a doctest. Doctest verified: 6 tests pass, jump_search([], 5) == -1, normal cases unaffected.

Closes TheAlgorithms#15085. Empty collection cannot contain the target; add an early
return instead of indexing arr[-1]. Doctest added + verified.
@algorithms-keeper algorithms-keeper Bot added enhancement This PR modified some existing files awaiting reviews This PR is ready to be reviewed labels Aug 28, 2026
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bug(searches): jump_search raises IndexError for empty list input

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