Animated Sorting Algorithm Demo

Discussion

These pages show 8 different sorting algorithms on 4 different initial conditions. These visualizations are intended to:

• Show how each algorithm operates.
• Show that there is no best sorting algorithm.
• Show the advantages and disadvantages of each algorithm.
• Show that worse-case asymptotic behavior is not the deciding factor in choosing an algorithm.
• Show that the initial condition (input order and key distribution) affects performance as much as the algorithm choice.

The ideal sorting algorithm would have the following properties:

• Stable: Equal keys aren't reordered.
• Operates in place, requiring O(1) extra space.
• Worst-case O(n·lg(n)) key comparisons.
• Worst-case O(n) swaps.
• Adaptive: Speeds up to O(n) when data is nearly sorted or when there are few unique keys.

There is no algorithm that has all of these properties, and so the choice of the optimal sorting algorithm depends on the application.

Directions

• Click on to restart the animation in a row, a column, or the entire table.
• Click on a size number to change the size of the examples.
• Click on a cell to restart an individual animation.
• Click on a column or row header to explore that algorithm or input order.

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.