Data Modelling & AI Data Structure & Algorithm

Deleting Elements in an Array | Array Operations

By Thapelo Manthata

23 June 2025

0

In this post, we will look into deletion operation in an Array, i.e., how to delete an element from an Array, such as:

Deleting Elements from an Array when it is Unsorted
Deleting Elements from an Array when it is Sorted

Deleting Elements in an Array when it is Unsorted

In the delete operation, the element to be deleted is searched using the linear search, and then the delete operation is performed followed by shifting the elements.

C++

// C++ program to implement delete operation in a
// unsorted array
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
 
// To search a key to be deleted
int findElement(int arr[], int n, int key);
 
// Function to delete an element
int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    // Find position of element to be deleted
    int pos = findElement(arr, n, key);
 
    if (pos == -1) {
        cout << "Element not found";
        return n;
    }
 
    // Deleting element
    int i;
    for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
        arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
    return n - 1;
}
 
// Function to implement search operation
int findElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    int i;
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        if (arr[i] == key)
            return i;
 
    return -1;
}
 
// Driver's code
int main()
{
    int i;
    int arr[] = { 10, 50, 30, 40, 20 };
 
    int n = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(arr[0]);
    int key = 30;
 
    cout << "Array before deletion\n";
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
 
    // Function call
    n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
    cout << "\n\nArray after deletion\n";
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
 
    return 0;
}
 
// This code is contributed by shubhamsingh10

C

// C program to implement delete operation in a
// unsorted array
#include <stdio.h>
 
// To search a key to be deleted
int findElement(int arr[], int n, int key);
 
// Function to delete an element
int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    // Find position of element to be deleted
    int pos = findElement(arr, n, key);
 
    if (pos == -1) {
        printf("Element not found");
        return n;
    }
 
    // Deleting element
    int i;
    for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
        arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
    return n - 1;
}
 
// Function to implement search operation
int findElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    int i;
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        if (arr[i] == key)
            return i;
 
    return -1;
}
 
// Driver's code
int main()
{
    int i;
    int arr[] = { 10, 50, 30, 40, 20 };
 
    int n = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(arr[0]);
    int key = 30;
 
    printf("Array before deletion\n");
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        printf("%d  ", arr[i]);
 
    // Function call
    n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
    printf("\nArray after deletion\n");
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        printf("%d  ", arr[i]);
 
    return 0;
}

Java

// Java program to implement delete
// operation in an unsorted array
 
class Main {
    // function to search a key to
    // be deleted
    static int findElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
    {
        int i;
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            if (arr[i] == key)
                return i;
 
        return -1;
    }
 
    // Function to delete an element
    static int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
    {
        // Find position of element to be
        // deleted
        int pos = findElement(arr, n, key);
 
        if (pos == -1) {
            System.out.println("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
 
        // Deleting element
        int i;
        for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
        return n - 1;
    }
 
    // Driver's Code
    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        int i;
        int arr[] = { 10, 50, 30, 40, 20 };
 
        int n = arr.length;
        int key = 30;
 
        System.out.println("Array before deletion");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            System.out.print(arr[i] + " ");
 
        // Function call
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
        System.out.println("\n\nArray after deletion");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            System.out.print(arr[i] + " ");
    }
}

Python3

# Python program to delete an element
# from an unsorted array
 
# Driver's code
if __name__ == '__main__':
    # Declaring array and key to delete
    arr = [10, 50, 30, 40, 20]
    key = 30
 
    print("Array before deletion:")
    print(arr)
 
    # deletes key if found in the array
    # otherwise shows error not in list
    arr.remove(key)
    print("Array after deletion")
    print(arr)
 
    # This code is contributed by Aditi Sharma.

C#

// C# program to implement delete
// operation in an unsorted array
using System;
 
class main {
    // Function to search a
    // key to be deleted
    static int findElement(int[] arr, int n, int key)
    {
 
        int i;
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            if (arr[i] == key)
                return i;
 
        return -1;
    }
 
    // Function to delete an element
    static int deleteElement(int[] arr, int n, int key)
    {
        // Find position of element
        // to be deleted
        int pos = findElement(arr, n, key);
 
        if (pos == -1) {
            Console.WriteLine("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
 
        // Deleting element
        int i;
        for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
        return n - 1;
    }
 
    // Driver Code
    public static void Main()
    {
        int i;
        int[] arr = { 10, 50, 30, 40, 20 };
 
        int n = arr.Length;
        int key = 30;
 
        Console.Write("Array before deletion ");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            Console.Write(arr[i] + " ");
        Console.WriteLine();
 
        // Function call
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
        Console.Write("Array after deletion ");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            Console.Write(arr[i] + " ");
    }
}
 
// This code is contributed by vt_m.

Javascript

// Java script program to implement delete
// operation in an unsorted array
  
 
    // function to search a key to 
    // be deleted
    function findElement(arr,n,key)
    {
        let i;
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            if (arr[i] == key)
                return i;
      
        return -1;
    } 
     
    // Function to delete an element
    function deleteElement(arr,n,key)
    {
        // Find position of element to be 
        // deleted
        let pos = findElement(arr, n, key);
      
        if (pos == -1)
        {
            document.write("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
      
        // Deleting element
        let i;
        for (i = pos; i< n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
      
        return n - 1;
    }
      
    // Driver Code
     
        let i;
        let arr = [10, 50, 30, 40, 20];
      
        let n = arr.length;
        let key = 30;
      
        document.write("Array before deletion<br>");
        for (i=0; i<n; i++)
          document.write(arr[i] + " ");
      
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
      
       document.write("<br><br>Array after deletion<br>");
        for (i=0; i<n; i++)
          document.write(arr[i]+" ");
     
// This code is contributed by sravan kumar Gottumukkala

PHP

<?php
// PHP program to implement delete  
// operation in an unsorted array 
 
// To search a key to be deleted 
function findElement(&$arr, $n, $key)
{ 
    for ($i = 0; $i < $n; $i++) 
        if ($arr[$i] == $key) 
            return $i; 
 
    return -1; 
} 
 
// Function to delete an element 
function deleteElement(&$arr, $n, $key) 
{ 
    // Find position of element to 
    // be deleted 
    $pos = findElement($arr, $n, $key); 
 
    if ($pos == -1) 
    { 
        echo "Element not found"; 
        return $n; 
    } 
 
    // Deleting element 
    for ($i = $pos; $i < $n - 1; $i++) 
        $arr[$i] = $arr[$i + 1]; 
 
    return $n - 1; 
} 
 
// Driver code 
$arr = array(10, 50, 30, 40, 20); 
 
$n = count($arr); 
$key = 30; 
 
echo "Array before deletion\n"; 
for ($i = 0; $i < $n; $i++) 
echo $arr[$i] . " "; 
 
// Function call
$n = deleteElement($arr, $n, $key); 
 
echo "\nArray after deletion\n"; 
for ($i = 0; $i < $n; $i++) 
echo $arr[$i] . " "; 
 
// This code is contributed by
// Rajput-Ji
?>

Output

Array before deletion
10 50 30 40 20 

Array after deletion
10 50 40 20

Time Complexity: O(N)
Auxiliary Space: O(1)

Deleting Elements in an Array when it is Sorted

In the delete operation, the element to be deleted is searched using binary search, and then the delete operation is performed followed by shifting the elements.

Performing delete operation

Below is the implementation of the above approach:

C++

// C++ program to implement delete operation in a
// sorted array
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
 
// To search a key to be deleted
int binarySearch(int arr[], int low, int high, int key);
 
/* Function to delete an element */
int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    // Find position of element to be deleted
    int pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key);
 
    if (pos == -1) {
        cout << "Element not found";
        return n;
    }
 
    // Deleting element
    int i;
    for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
        arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
    return n - 1;
}
 
int binarySearch(int arr[], int low, int high, int key)
{
    if (high < low)
        return -1;
    int mid = (low + high) / 2;
    if (key == arr[mid])
        return mid;
    if (key > arr[mid])
        return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key);
    return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key);
}
 
// Driver code
int main()
{
    int i;
    int arr[] = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 };
 
    int n = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(arr[0]);
    int key = 30;
 
    cout << "Array before deletion\n";
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
 
    // Function call
    n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
    cout << "\n\nArray after deletion\n";
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        cout << arr[i] << " ";
}
 
// This code is contributed by shubhamsingh10

C

// C program to implement delete operation in a
// sorted array
#include <stdio.h>
 
// To search a key to be deleted
int binarySearch(int arr[], int low, int high, int key);
 
/* Function to delete an element */
int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
{
    // Find position of element to be deleted
    int pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key);
 
    if (pos == -1) {
        printf("Element not found");
        return n;
    }
 
    // Deleting element
    int i;
    for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
        arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
    return n - 1;
}
 
int binarySearch(int arr[], int low, int high, int key)
{
    if (high < low)
        return -1;
    int mid = (low + high) / 2;
    if (key == arr[mid])
        return mid;
    if (key > arr[mid])
        return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key);
    return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key);
}
 
// Driver code
int main()
{
    int i;
    int arr[] = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 };
 
    int n = sizeof(arr) / sizeof(arr[0]);
    int key = 30;
 
    printf("Array before deletion\n");
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        printf("%d  ", arr[i]);
 
    // Function call
    n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
    printf("\n\nArray after deletion\n");
    for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
        printf("%d  ", arr[i]);
}

Java

// Java program to delete an
// element from a sorted array
 
class Main {
 
    // Binary search
    static int binarySearch(int arr[], int low, int high,
                            int key)
    {
        if (high < low)
            return -1;
        int mid = (low + high) / 2;
        if (key == arr[mid])
            return mid;
        if (key > arr[mid])
            return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key);
        return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key);
    }
 
    /* Function to delete an element */
    static int deleteElement(int arr[], int n, int key)
    {
        // Find position of element to be deleted
        int pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key);
 
        if (pos == -1) {
            System.out.println("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
 
        // Deleting element
        int i;
        for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
        return n - 1;
    }
 
    /* Driver Code */
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
 
        int i;
        int arr[] = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 };
 
        int n = arr.length;
        int key = 30;
 
        System.out.print("Array before deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            System.out.print(arr[i] + " ");
 
        // Function call
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
        System.out.print("\n\nArray after deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            System.out.print(arr[i] + " ");
    }
}

Python3

# Python program to implement delete operation in a
# sorted array
 
# /* Function to delete an element */
 
 
def deleteElement(arr, n, key):
 
    # Find position of element to be deleted
    pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key)
 
    if (pos == -1):
        print("Element not found")
        return n
 
    # Deleting element
    for i in range(pos, n - 1):
        arr[i] = arr[i + 1]
 
    return n - 1
 
# To search a key to be deleted
 
 
def binarySearch(arr, low, high, key):
 
    if (high < low):
        return -1
    mid = (low + high) // 2
 
    if (key == arr[mid]):
        return mid
    if (key > arr[mid]):
        return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key)
 
    return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key)
 
 
# Driver code
if __name__ == "__main__":
    arr = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
 
    n = len(arr)
    key = 30
 
    print("Array before deletion")
 
    for i in range(n):
        print(arr[i], end=" ")
 
    # Function call
    n = deleteElement(arr, n, key)
    print("\n\nArray after deletion")
    for i in range(n):
        print(arr[i], end=" ")
 
# This code is contributed by shubhamsingh10

C#

// C# program to delete an
// element from a sorted array
using System;
public class GFG {
 
    // Binary search
    static int binarySearch(int[] arr, int low, int high,
                            int key)
    {
        if (high < low)
            return -1;
        int mid = (low + high) / 2;
        if (key == arr[mid])
            return mid;
        if (key > arr[mid])
            return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key);
        return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key);
    }
 
    /* Function to delete an element */
    static int deleteElement(int[] arr, int n, int key)
    {
        // Find position of element to be deleted
        int pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key);
 
        if (pos == -1) {
            Console.WriteLine("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
 
        // Deleting element
        int i;
        for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
        return n - 1;
    }
 
    /* Driver Code */
    public static void Main()
    {
 
        int i;
        int[] arr = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 };
 
        int n = arr.Length;
        int key = 30;
 
        Console.Write("Array before deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            Console.Write(arr[i] + " ");
 
        // Function call
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
        Console.Write("\n\nArray after deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            Console.Write(arr[i] + " ");
    }
}
 
// This code is contributed by Rajput-Ji

Javascript

<script>
 
// JavaScript program to delete an
// element from a sorted array
 
    // binary search
    function binarySearch(arr,  low,  high,  key)
    {
        if (high < low)
            return -1;
        let mid = (low + high) / 2;
        if (key == arr[mid])
            return mid;
        if (key > arr[mid])
            return binarySearch(arr, (mid + 1), high, key);
        return binarySearch(arr, low, (mid - 1), key);
    }
 
    /* Function to delete an element */
    function deleteElement( arr,  n,  key)
    {
        // Find position of element to be deleted
        let pos = binarySearch(arr, 0, n - 1, key);
 
        if (pos == -1) {
            document.write("Element not found");
            return n;
        }
 
        // Deleting element
        let i;
        for (i = pos; i < n - 1; i++)
            arr[i] = arr[i + 1];
 
        return n - 1;
    }
 
    /* Driver Code */
     
        let i;
        let arr = [ 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ];
 
        let n = arr.length;
        let key = 30;
 
        document.write("Array before deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            document.write(arr[i] + " ");
 
        n = deleteElement(arr, n, key);
 
        document.write("<br>"+"Array after deletion:\n");
        for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
            document.write(arr[i] + " ");
 // this code is contributed by shivanisinghss2110
 
</script>

Output

Array before deletion
10 20 30 40 50 

Array after deletion
10 20 40 50

Time Complexity: O(N). In the worst case all elements may have to be moved
Auxiliary Space: O(log N). An implicit stack will be used

Recommended

Solve DSA problems on GfG Practice.

Solve Problems

Feeling lost in the world of random DSA topics, wasting time without progress? It’s time for a change! Join our DSA course, where we’ll guide you on an exciting journey to master DSA efficiently and on schedule.
Ready to dive in? Explore our Free Demo Content and join our DSA course, trusted by over 100,000 neveropen!

Deleting Elements in an Array | Array Operations

Deleting Elements in an Array when it is Unsorted

C++

C

Java

Python3

C#

Javascript

PHP

Deleting Elements in an Array when it is Sorted

C++

C

Java

Python3

C#

Javascript

From Word2Vec to LLM2Vec: How to Choose the Right Embedding Model for RAG

How to Debug Slow Search Requests in Milvus

When Context Engineering Is Done Right, Hallucinations Can Be the Spark of AI Creativity

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Most Popular

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sets itself apart with this one thing you don’t see

T-Mobile’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal knocks $1,000 off and includes a free pair of Pixel Buds 2a

Samsung Galaxy XR leak provides us with our best look yet at what to expect

Samsung’s upcoming tri-fold phone could flex its power with a massive battery setup

EDITOR PICKS

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sets itself apart with this one thing you don’t see

T-Mobile’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal knocks $1,000 off and includes a free pair of Pixel Buds 2a

Samsung Galaxy XR leak provides us with our best look yet at what to expect

POPULAR POSTS

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sets itself apart with this one thing you don’t see

T-Mobile’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal knocks $1,000 off and includes a free pair of Pixel Buds 2a

Samsung Galaxy XR leak provides us with our best look yet at what to expect

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US