Important Sorting and Searching Algorithms
Sorting and Searching algorithms are very important for computer science especially when you are studying data structure and algorithms. I have prepared a very small lesson with code for you so that you can easily learn and practice them yourself.
Here are some of the most commonly used sorting and searching algorithms:
Sorting Algorithms:
Bubble Sort: Works by repeatedly swapping the adjacent elements if they are in the wrong order.
Selection Sort: Sorts an array by repeatedly finding the minimum element from the unsorted part and putting it at the beginning.
Insertion Sort: Builds the final sorted array one item at a time.
Merge Sort: Divides the array into smaller subarrays and then merges them.
Quick Sort: Selects a pivot element, partitions the array around it, and recursively sorts the subarrays.
Heap Sort: Builds a heap and repeatedly removes the largest (or smallest) element.
Radix Sort: Sorts integers or strings by grouping numbers by individual digits.
Tim Sort: Hybrid sorting algorithm derived from merge sort and insertion sort.
Searching Algorithms:
Linear Search: Finds an element by checking each element in sequence.
Binary Search: Finds an element in a sorted array by dividing the search interval in half.
Depth-First Search (DFS): Explores a graph or tree by traversing as far as possible along each branch.
Breadth-First Search (BFS): Explores a graph or tree level by level.
Here’s a guide on when to use each algorithm:
Sorting Algorithms:
Bubble Sort:
Use when: Small datasets (<10–20 elements), educational purposes.
Avoid when: Large datasets, performance-critical applications.
Selection Sort:
Use when: Small datasets, minimal swaps required.
Avoid when: Large datasets, nearly sorted data.
Insertion Sort:
Use when: Small to medium datasets, nearly sorted data.
Avoid when: Large datasets, highly unsorted data.
Merge Sort:
Use when: Large datasets, stability required (preserves order of equal elements).
Avoid when: Real-time applications (high overhead).
Quick Sort:
Use when: Large datasets, average-case performance required.
Avoid when: Nearly sorted data, worst-case scenarios (O(n²)).
Heap Sort:
Use when: Large datasets, simple implementation required.
Avoid when: Stability required.
Radix Sort:
Use when: Sorting integers or strings with fixed length.
Avoid when: Sorting floating-point numbers or variable-length strings.
Tim Sort:
Use when: Large datasets, stability required, and good average-case performance.
Searching Algorithms:
Linear Search:
Use when: Small datasets, unsorted data.
Avoid when: Large datasets.
Binary Search:
Use when: Sorted data, large datasets.
Avoid when: Unsorted data.
Depth-First Search (DFS):
Use when: Traversing graphs or trees, finding connected components.
Avoid when: Finding shortest paths.
Breadth-First Search (BFS):
Use when: Finding shortest paths, traversing graphs or trees level by level.
General Guidelines:
Use sorting algorithms when:
Data needs to be processed in order.
Duplicate elimination is required.
Data needs to be grouped or aggregated.
Use searching algorithms when:
Locating specific data is necessary.
Data is too large to sort.
Consider:
Time complexity (e.g., O(n log n) for sorting).
Space complexity (e.g., extra memory for sorting).
Stability requirements (preserving order of equal elements).
Data distribution (e.g., nearly sorted or highly unsorted).
Real-World Applications:
Database query optimization (indexing, sorting).
File system organization (directory sorting).
Web search engines (indexing, searching).
Compilers (syntax analysis, symbol table management).
Data analysis and visualization (sorting, filtering).
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the choice of algorithm ultimately depends on the specific problem requirements and constraints.
Here are simple graphs representing various algorithms:
Sorting Algorithms:
Bubble Sort:
1 → 3 → 2 → 4
↓ ↑
1 → 2 → 3 → 4
Selection Sort:
[5, 2, 8, 1]
↓
[1, 5, 2, 8]
↓
[1, 2, 5, 8]
Insertion Sort:
[4, 2, 1, 3]
↓
[2, 4, 1, 3]
↓
[1, 2, 4, 3]
↓
[1, 2, 3, 4]
Merge Sort:
[3, 6, 1, 8]
↓
[3, 6] [1, 8]
↓
[1, 3, 6, 8]
Quick Sort:
[5, 2, 9, 1]
↓
[2, 1] 5 [9]
↓
[1, 2, 5, 9]
Searching Algorithms:
Linear Search:
[3, 6, 1, 8]
Find 1?
→ Yes (3rd index)
Binary Search:
[1, 3, 5, 7, 9]
Find 5?
→ Yes (3rd index)
You can find all related codes from this GitHub repository. Hope this will help you. Thank you.