Bubble Sort - Sorting Algorithm Animations

Algorithm

for i = 1:n,
    swapped = false
    for j = n:i+1, 
        if a[j] < a[j-1], 
            swap a[j,j-1]
            swapped = true
    → invariant: a[1..i] in final position
    break if not swapped
end

Properties

Stable
O(1) extra space
O(n²) comparisons and swaps
Adaptive: O(n) when nearly sorted

Discussion

Bubble sort has many of the same properties as insertion sort, but has slightly higher overhead. In the case of nearly sorted data, bubble sort takes O(n) time, but requires at least 2 passes through the data (whereas insertion sort requires something more like 1 pass).

Directions

Click on above to restart the animations in a row, a column, or the entire table.
Click directly on an animation image to start or restart it.
Click on a problem size number to reset all animations.

Key

Black values are sorted.
Gray values are unsorted.
A red triangle marks the algorithm position.

References

Algorithms in Java, Parts 1-4, 3rd edition by Robert Sedgewick. Addison Wesley, 2003.

Programming Pearls by Jon Bentley. Addison Wesley, 1986.

Quicksort is Optimal by Robert Sedgewick and Jon Bentley, Knuthfest, Stanford University, January, 2002.

Dual Pivot Quicksort: Code and Discussion.

Bubble-sort with Hungarian ("Csángó") folk dance YouTube video, created at Sapientia University, Tirgu Mures (Marosvásárhely), Romania.

Select-sort with Gypsy folk dance YouTube video, created at Sapientia University, Tirgu Mures (Marosvásárhely), Romania.

Sorting Out Sorting, Ronald M. Baecker with the assistance of David Sherman, 30 minute color sound film, Dynamic Graphics Project, University of Toronto, 1981. Excerpted and reprinted in SIGGRAPH Video Review 7, 1983. Distributed by Morgan Kaufmann, Publishers. Excerpt.