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Bubble sorting

Last updated on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Definition:

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Bubble sorting is a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list to be sorted, compares each pair of adjacent items, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. The pass through the list is repeated until no swaps are needed, resulting in the list being sorted in ascending or descending order.

The Concept of Bubble Sorting in Computer Science

Bubble sorting is a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. The pass through the list is repeated until no swaps are needed, indicating that the list is sorted.

How Bubble Sorting Works:

The algorithm works by comparing each pair of adjacent items in the list from the beginning to the end. If the items are in the wrong order (e.g., the item on the left is greater than the item on the right), they are swapped. This process is repeated until the list is sorted.

This sorting technique is called "bubble sort" because with each pass through the list, the larger elements "bubble up" to their correct positions.

Advantages of Bubble Sorting:

One of the main advantages of bubble sorting is its simplicity. It is easy to understand and implement, making it a good choice for small datasets or educational purposes. Additionally, bubble sort can be useful when sorting nearly sorted arrays, as it performs well in this scenario.

Limitations of Bubble Sorting:

While bubble sort is easy to implement, it is not the most efficient sorting algorithm. Its time complexity is O(n^2), making it inefficient for large datasets. As a result, bubble sort is not typically used in production code where performance is critical.

Despite its limitations, bubble sorting remains an important concept in computer science education as it helps students understand the fundamentals of sorting algorithms and algorithmic complexity.

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