The decision between a one-pointer search and a two-pointer search is based on the exact problem at hand, because both approaches have similar time and space complexities. A one-pointer search uses a single pointer or index to iterate through an array or data structure, with a time complexity of O(n) and a space complexity of O(1). This method works best for simple linear checks, such as locating a specific element or determining attributes like the sum or maximum value in an array. A two-pointer search, on the other hand, uses two pointers that usually start at opposite ends of an array and progress towards each other. This technique has a time complexity of O(n) and a space complexity of O(1). It is especially useful for tasks that require comparing elements from opposite ends, such as identifying pairs of numbers that satisfy a specified criteria, reversing arrays, or deleting duplicates from sorted arrays. Finally, neither algorithm is fundamentally superior in terms of time or space complexity, as both run efficiently with O(n) time and O(1) space. The best option depends on the nature of the problem: if comparing or coordinating components from different positions is required, the two-pointer method is preferable, whereas simpler linear traversals can be handled quickly by a one-pointer approach.