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What is Selection Sort?
Selection sort is a simple, comparison-based sorting algorithm. It is an in-place sorting algorithm, meaning it does not require additional memory, making it efficient in terms of space complexity. This algorithm works by dividing the input array into two portions: the sorted and unsorted portions.
The basic concept of selection sort involves repeatedly finding the minimum element from the unsorted portion and swapping it with the first element of the unsorted portion. This gradually builds up the sorted portion of the array until the entire array is sorted.
How does Selection Sort work?
The selection sort algorithm can be summarized in the following steps:
- Set the first element of the array as the minimum value.
- Iterate through the unsorted portion of the array, starting from the second element.
- Compare each element with the current minimum value.
- If a smaller element is found, update the minimum value.
- Once the end of the unsorted portion is reached, swap the minimum value with the first element of the unsorted portion.
- Repeat steps 2 to 5 until the entire array is sorted.
By continuously selecting the smallest element from the unsorted portion and swapping it with the appropriate position in the sorted portion, selection sort guarantees that each element is in its final sorted position at the end of the algorithm.
Benefits and Limitations of Selection Sort
Selection sort has a few advantages:
- Simple implementation and easy to understand.
- Efficient in terms of space complexity, as it does not require additional memory.
However, selection sort also has some limitations:
- Time complexity: The average and worst-case time complexity of selection sort is O(n^2), making it inefficient for large arrays.
- Not stable: The relative order of equal elements may change during the sorting process, resulting in an unstable sorting.
Despite its limitations, selection sort can still be useful for small data sets or as an intermediate step in more complex sorting algorithms.
Conclusion
Selection sort is a simple yet effective sorting algorithm that works by repeatedly selecting the smallest element from the unsorted portion and placing it in its correct position in the sorted portion. While not the most efficient algorithm for large data sets, it provides a basic understanding of sorting algorithms and can be a useful tool in certain scenarios.
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