Random Initial Order

Discussion

A random initial order is often used to evaluate sorting algorithms in order to elucidate the "typical" case and to facilitate mathematical analysis. For some applications, however, this does not represent the typical case, so conclusions drawn here do not generalize.

Here we see the vast difference in speed between the O(n²) elementary sorting algorithms (insert, selection, bubble) and the more advanced algorithms.

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.
• Dark gray values denote the current interval (shell, merge, quick).
• A pair of red triangles marks the left and right pointers (quick).

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.