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Bubble Sort Algorithm in C++ or C: Simplest Sorting Technique

Updated: January 25, 2025
By: developerIndian.com

When it comes to sorting algorithms in data structures, Bubble Sort is one of the simplest yet foundational techniques to understand. Though not the most efficient for large datasets, Bubble Sort forms the backbone of many advanced sorting concepts. In this article, we'll break down the Bubble Sort algorithm, understand its complexity, and implement it in C programming for better clarity.

What is Bubble Sort?

Bubble Sort is a comparison-based algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. This process continues until the list is fully sorted. It is primarily used for educational purposes and for small datasets where simplicity is preferred over efficiency.

Key Features of Bubble Sort Algorithm

1. Sorting Order: Bubble Sort can arrange elements in ascending or descending order.
2. Complexity:
   • Best-case: O(n) when the array is already sorted.
   • Average and Worst-case: O(n²).
3. Stability: Bubble Sort maintains the relative order of equal elements, making it a stable sorting algorithm.

How Does Bubble Sort Work?

The algorithm repeatedly compares adjacent elements in the list:

1. If the current element is larger than the next, they are swapped.
2. This process "bubbles" the largest element to the end in each pass.
3. The process is repeated for the remaining unsorted elements until no swaps are required.

Bubble Sort Implementation in C

Below is a simple implementation of the Bubble Sort algorithm in C programming:

#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
void main() {
  int x[10], i, j, t;
  
  // Input Array
  printf("\nEnter 10 numbers: ");
  for(i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    scanf("%d", &x[i]);
  
  // Display Array Before Sorting
  printf("\nBefore Sorting: ");
  for(i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    printf("  %d", x[i]);
  
  // Bubble Sort Algorithm
  for(i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    for(j = 0; j < 9 - i; j++) {
      if(x[j] > x[j+1]) {
        // Swap
        t = x[j];
        x[j] = x[j+1];
        x[j+1] = t;
      }
    }
  }
  
  // Display Array After Sorting
  printf("\nAfter Sorting: ");
  for(i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    printf("  %d", x[i]);
  
  getch();
}

Advantages of Bubble Sort

1. Simple and Easy to Implement: Its straightforward nature makes it great for beginners.
2. Stable Sorting: Preserves the order of duplicate values.
3. Best for Small Datasets: Ideal when sorting arrays with very few elements.

Limitations of Bubble Sort

1. Inefficient for Large Datasets: The O(n²) complexity makes it slow for big arrays.
2. Redundant Comparisons: Bubble Sort often performs unnecessary checks even when the list is sorted.

Optimized Bubble Sort

An optimized approach stops the algorithm if no swaps are performed in a pass. This reduces unnecessary iterations and improves efficiency for nearly sorted lists.

Use Cases of Bubble Sort

1. Educational Purposes: Great for learning sorting logic and algorithm design.
2. Small Datasets: Bubble Sort works well for datasets with fewer elements.
3. Data Visualizations: The algorithm is often used to demonstrate sorting in animations due to its simplicity.

Conclusion

Bubble Sort is a foundational algorithm that introduces the concept of sorting in programming. Though not efficient for large datasets, its simplicity makes it a popular choice for small datasets and educational purposes. By understanding its implementation and complexity, developers can grasp the core ideas behind sorting algorithms.

FAQs on Bubble Sort

Q1: What is the time complexity of Bubble Sort?

• The time complexity is O(n²) in the worst and average cases.

Q2: Is Bubble Sort stable?

• Yes, Bubble Sort is a stable sorting algorithm.

Q3: What is the best-case scenario for Bubble Sort?

• The best case occurs when the array is already sorted, resulting in O(n) complexity.