Introduction

The Bubble Sort algorithm is one of the simplest sorting algorithms used in computer science. It 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 the list is sorted.

How Bubble Sort Works

Bubble Sort works by repeatedly swapping adjacent elements if they are in the wrong order. This process continues until no more swaps are needed, meaning the list is sorted. Here's a detailed explanation of the algorithm:

1. Compare the first two elements of the list.
2. If the first element is greater than the second, swap them.
3. Move to the next pair of elements and repeat the comparison and swapping process.
4. Continue until the end of the list.
5. Repeat the entire process for n-1 passes, where n is the length of the list.

Python Code Example

Here is a simple implementation of the Bubble Sort algorithm in Python:

def bubble_sort(list):
    n = len(list)
    for i in range(n):
        for j in range(n - 1):
            if list[j] > list[j + 1]:
                temp = list[j]
                list[j] = list[j + 1]
                list[j + 1] = temp
    return list

nums = [5, 3, 8, 6, 7, 2]
result = bubble_sort(nums)
print(result)

        

In the above code:

• n = len(list): Stores the length of the list.
• for i in range(n):: Runs the outer loop for n passes.
• for j in range(n - 1):: Runs the inner loop for comparing adjacent elements.
• if list[j] > list[j + 1]:: Checks if the current element is greater than the next.
• If true, the elements are swapped using a temporary variable.

Example Output

Let's see how the Bubble Sort algorithm sorts the following list: [5, 3, 8, 6, 7, 2]

After sorting, the output will be:

[2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Advantages of Bubble Sort

• Simple to understand and easy to implement.
• Useful for educational purposes to understand sorting algorithms.
• Does not require additional memory for sorting (in-place sorting).

Disadvantages of Bubble Sort

• It is not efficient for large datasets because of its time complexity.
• The average and worst-case time complexity is O(n²), making it impractical for large lists.

Conclusion

Bubble Sort is a basic sorting algorithm that helps beginners understand the concept of sorting. While it may not be suitable for sorting large datasets, its simplicity makes it a good starting point for learning about algorithmic thinking and sorting techniques.

Try using the above code and see how the list gets sorted step by step!