Descending boundary search (source code)

= Descending boundary search
{title2=$u[0..a)>z\geq u[b..n)$}

For a nonincreasing <array>, maintain indices $0\leq a\leq b\leq n$ such that entries before $a$ exceed the target and entries from $b$ onward are at most the target. Probe the middle of the half-open interval. A value above the target advances $a$ past that index; otherwise <set> $b$ to that index. The interval length decreases geometrically. At termination the common boundary is the first possible match, so one guarded equality test decides presence even with duplicates.