What is Bubble sort?

Bubble sort is a simple sorting algorithm that is commonly used to sort arrays of data. It is a comparison-based algorithm that works by repeatedly swapping adjacent elements that are in the wrong order. The algorithm gets its name from the way that smaller elements "bubble" to the top of the array as the algorithm progresses. The basic idea behind bubble sort is to compare each pair of adjacent elements in the array and swap them if they are in the wrong order. This process is repeated until no more swaps are needed, which means that the array is now in sorted order. Despite its simplicity, bubble sort has some drawbacks. First, it is relatively slow compared to other sorting algorithms, especially for large arrays. Second, it is not very efficient when dealing with already sorted arrays, as it still requires multiple passes to ensure that the array is fully sorted. Despite these limitations, bubble sort remains a useful algorithm for teaching sorting concepts and for sorting small arrays or lists of data. It is also useful for certain specialized applications, such as sorting data that has already been partially sorted or is nearly sorted.

Overall, bubble sort is a classic algorithm that has stood the test of time and remains an important part of the computer science curriculum. While it may not be the fastest or most efficient sorting algorithm.

[1] Guo, J., & Lu, M. (2016). The extra connectivity of bubble-sort star graphs. Theoretical Computer Science, 645, 91–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcs.2016.06.043

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