Introduction

Sometimes data we store or retrieve in an application can have little or no order. We may have to rearrange the data to correctly process it or efficiently use it. Over the years, computer scientists have created many sorting algorithms to organize data.

In this article we'll have a look at popular sorting algorithms, understand how they work and code them in Python. We'll also compare how quickly they sort items in a list.

For simplicity, algorithm implementations would be sorting lists of numbers in ascending order. Of course, you're free to adapt them to your needs

If you'd like to learn about a specific algorithm, you can jump to it here:

• Bubble Sort
• Selection Sort
• Insertion Sort
• Merge Sort
• Heap Sort
• Quick Sort
• Sorting in Python

Bubble Sort

This simple sorting algorithm iterates over a list, comparing elements in pairs and swapping them until the larger elements "bubble up" to the end of the list, and the smaller elements stay at the "bottom".

Explanation

We begin by comparing the first two elements of the list. If the first element is larger than the second element, we swap them. If they are already in order we leave them as is. We then move to the next pair of elements, compare their values and swap as necessary. This process continues to the last pair of items in the list.

Upon reaching the end of the list, it repeats this process for every item. Though, this is highly inefficient. What if only a single swap needs to be made in the array? Why would we still iterate though it n^2 times, even though it's already sorted?

Obviously, to optimize the algorithm, we need to stop it when it's finished sorting.

How would we know that we're finished sorting? If the items were in order then we would not have to swap items. So, whenever we swap values we set a flag to True to repeat sorting process. If no swaps occurred, the flag would remain False and the algorithm would stop.

Implementation

With the optimization, we can implement the bubble sort in Python as follows:

def bubble_sort(nums):  
    # We set swapped to True so the loop looks runs at least once
    swapped = True
    while swapped:
        swapped = False
        for i in range(len(nums) - 1):
            if nums[i] > nums[i + 1]:
                # Swap the elements
                nums[i], nums[i + 1] = nums[i + 1], nums[i]
                # Set the flag to True so we'll loop again
                swapped = True


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [5, 2, 1, 8, 4]  
bubble_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

The algorithm runs in a while loop, only breaking when no items are swapped. We set swapped to True in the beginning to ensure that the algorithm runs at least once.

Time Complexity

Bubble Sort's time complexity, in the worst case scenario (when the list is in reverse) is O(n^2).

Selection Sort

This algorithm segments the list into two parts: sorted and unsorted. We continuously remove the smallest element of the unsorted segment of the list and append it to the sorted segment.

Explanation

In practice, we don't need to create a new list for the sorted elements, what we do is treat the leftmost part of the list as the sorted segment. We then search the entire list for the smallest element, and swap it with the first element.

Now we know that the first element of the list is sorted, we get the smallest element of the remaining items and swap it with the second element. This iterates until the last item of the list is remaining element to be examined.

Implementation

def selection_sort(nums):  
    # This value of i corresponds to how many values were sorted
    for i in range(len(nums)):
        # We assume that the first item of the unsorted segment is the smallest
        lowest_value_index = i
        # This loop iterates over the unsorted items
        for j in range(i + 1, len(nums)):
            if nums[j] < nums[lowest_value_index]:
                lowest_value_index = j
        # Swap values of the lowest unsorted element with the first unsorted
        # element
        nums[i], nums[lowest_value_index] = nums[lowest_value_index], nums[i]


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [12, 8, 3, 20, 11]  
selection_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

We see that as i increases, we need to need to check less items.

Time Complexity

Selection Sort's time complexity on average is O(n^2).

Insertion Sort

Like Selection Sort, this algorithm segments the list into sorted and unsorted parts. It iterates over the unsorted segment, and inserts the element being viewed into the correct position of the sorted list.

Explanation

We assume that the first element of the list is sorted. We then go to the next element, let's call it x. If x is larger than the first element we leave as is. If x is smaller, we copy the value of the first element to the second position and then set the first element to x.

As we go to the other elements of the unsorted segment, we continuously move larger elements in the sorted segment up the list until we encounter an element smaller than x or reach the end of the sorted segment, and then place x in it's correct position.

Implementation

def insertion_sort(nums):  
    # Start on the second element as we assume the first element is sorted
    for i in range(1, len(nums)):
        item_to_insert = nums[i]
        # And keep a reference of the index of the previous element
        j = i - 1
        # Move all items of the sorted segment forward if they are larger than
        # the item to insert
        while j >= 0 and nums[j] > item_to_insert:
            nums[j + 1] = nums[j]
            j -= 1
        # Insert the item
        nums[j + 1] = item_to_insert


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [9, 1, 15, 28, 6]  
insertion_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

Time Complexity

Insertion Sort's time complexity on average is O(n^2).

Heap Sort

This popular sorting algorithm, like the Insertion and Selection sorts, segments the list into sorted and unsorted parts. It converts the unsorted segment of the list to a Heap data structure, so that we can efficiently determine the largest element.

Explanation

We begin by transforming the list into a Max Heap - a Binary Tree where the biggest element is the root node. We then place that item to the end of the list. We then rebuild our Max Heap which now has one less value, placing the new largest value before the last item of the list.

We iterate this process of building the heap until all nodes are removed.

Implementation

We create an helper function heapify to implement this algorithm:

def heapify(nums, heap_size, root_index):  
    # Assume the index of the largest element is the root index
    largest = root_index
    left_child = (2 * root_index) + 1
    right_child = (2 * root_index) + 2

    # If the left child of the root is a valid index, and the element is greater
    # than the current largest element, then update the largest element
    if left_child < heap_size and nums[left_child] > nums[largest]:
        largest = left_child

    # Do the same for the right child of the root
    if right_child < heap_size and nums[right_child] > nums[largest]:
        largest = right_child

    # If the largest element is no longer the root element, swap them
    if largest != root_index:
        nums[root_index], nums[largest] = nums[largest], nums[root_index]
        # Heapify the new root element to ensure it's the largest
        heapify(nums, heap_size, largest)


def heap_sort(nums):  
    n = len(nums)

    # Create a Max Heap from the list
    # The 2nd argument of range means we stop at the element before -1 i.e.
    # the first element of the list.
    # The 3rd argument of range means we iterate backwards, reducing the count
    # of i by 1
    for i in range(n, -1, -1):
        heapify(nums, n, i)

    # Move the root of the max heap to the end of
    for i in range(n - 1, 0, -1):
        nums[i], nums[0] = nums[0], nums[i]
        heapify(nums, i, 0)


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [35, 12, 43, 8, 51]  
heap_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

Time Complexity

Heap Sort's time complexity on average is O(nlog(n)), which is already significantly faster than the previous algorithms.

Merge Sort

This divide and conquer algorithm splits a list in half, and keeps splitting the list by 2 until it only has singular elements.

Adjacent elements become sorted pairs, then sorted pairs are merged and sorted with other pairs as well. This process continues until we get a sorted list with all the elements of the unsorted input list.

Explanation

We recursively split the list in half until we have lists with size one. We then merge each half that was split, sorting them in the process.

Sorting is done by comparing the smallest elements of each half. The first element of each list are the first to be compared. If the first half begins with a smaller value, then we add that to the sorted list. We then compare the second smallest value of the first half with the first smallest value of the second half.

Every time we select the smaller value at the beginning of a half, we move the index of which item needs to be compared by one.

Implementation

def merge(left_list, right_list):  
    sorted_list = []
    left_list_index = right_list_index = 0

    # We use the list lengths often, so its handy to make variables
    left_list_length, right_list_length = len(left_list), len(right_list)

    for _ in range(left_list_length + right_list_length):
        if left_list_index < left_list_length and right_list_index < right_list_length:
            # We check which value from the start of each list is smaller
            # If the item at the beginning of the left list is smaller, add it
            # to the sorted list
            if left_list[left_list_index] <= right_list[right_list_index]:
                sorted_list.append(left_list[left_list_index])
                left_list_index += 1
            # If the item at the beginning of the right list is smaller, add it
            # to the sorted list
            else:
                sorted_list.append(right_list[right_list_index])
                right_list_index += 1

        # If we've reached the end of the of the left list, add the elements
        # from the right list
        elif left_list_index == left_list_length:
            sorted_list.append(right_list[right_list_index])
            right_list_index += 1
        # If we've reached the end of the of the right list, add the elements
        # from the left list
        elif right_list_index == right_list_length:
            sorted_list.append(left_list[left_list_index])
            left_list_index += 1

    return sorted_list


def merge_sort(nums):  
    # If the list is a single element, return it
    if len(nums) <= 1:
        return nums

    # Use floor division to get midpoint, indices must be integers
    mid = len(nums) // 2

    # Sort and merge each half
    left_list = merge_sort(nums[:mid])
    right_list = merge_sort(nums[mid:])

    # Merge the sorted lists into a new one
    return merge(left_list, right_list)


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [120, 45, 68, 250, 176]  
random_list_of_nums = merge_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

Note that the merge_sort() function, unlike the previous sorting algorithms, returns a new list that is sorted, rather than sorting the existing list.

Therefore, Merge Sort requires space to create a new list of the same size as the input list.

Time Complexity

Merge Sort's time complexity on average is O(nlog(n)).

Quick Sort

This divide and conquer algorithm is the most often used sorting algorithm covered in this article. When configured correctly, it's extremely efficient and does not require the extra space Merge Sort uses. We partition the list around a pivot element, sorting values around the pivot.

Explanation

Quick Sort begins by partitioning the list - picking one value of the list that will be in its sorted place. This value is called a pivot. All elements smaller than the pivot are moved to its left. All larger elements are moved to its right.

Knowing that the pivot is in it's rightful place, we recursively sort the values around the pivot until the entire list is sorted.

Implementation

# There are different ways to do a Quick Sort partition, this implements the
# Hoare partition scheme. Tony Hoare also created the Quick Sort algorithm.
def partition(nums, low, high):  
    # We select the middle element to be the pivot. Some implementations select
    # the first element or the last element. Sometimes the median value becomes
    # the pivot, or a random one. There are many more strategies that can be
    # chosen or created.
    pivot = nums[(low + high) // 2]
    i = low - 1
    j = high + 1
    while True:
        i += 1
        while nums[i] < pivot:
            i += 1

        j -= 1
        while nums[j] > pivot:
            j -= 1

        if i >= j:
            return j

        # If an element at i (on the left of the pivot) is larger than the
        # element at j (on right right of the pivot), then swap them
        nums[i], nums[j] = nums[j], nums[i]


def quick_sort(nums):  
    # Create a helper function that will be called recursively
    def _quick_sort(items, low, high):
        if low < high:
            # This is the index after the pivot, where our lists are split
            split_index = partition(items, low, high)
            _quick_sort(items, low, split_index)
            _quick_sort(items, split_index + 1, high)

    _quick_sort(nums, 0, len(nums) - 1)


# Verify it works
random_list_of_nums = [22, 5, 1, 18, 99]  
quick_sort(random_list_of_nums)  
print(random_list_of_nums)  

Time Complexity

Quick Sort's time complexity on average is O(nlog(n)).

Note: The Quick Sort algorithm would perform slowly if the pivot is either the smallest or largest element of the list. Quick Sort is usually faster with more balanced partitions. Unlike Heap Sort and Merge Sort, both with worst case times of O(nlog(n)), Quick Sort has a worst case time of O(n^2).

Python's Built-in Sort Functions

While it's beneficial to understand these sorting algorithms, in most Python projects you would probably use the sort functions already provided in the language.

We can change our list to have it's contents sorted with the sort() method:

apples_eaten_a_day = [2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2]  
apples_eaten_a_day.sort()  
print(apples_eaten_a_day) # [1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3]  

Or we can use the sorted() function to create a new sorted list:

apples_eaten_a_day_2 = [2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2]  
sorted_apples = sorted(apples_eaten_a_day_2)  
print(sorted_apples) # [1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3]  

They both sort in ascending order, but you can easily sort in descending order by setting the reverse flag to True:

# Reverse sort the list in-place
apples_eaten_a_day.sort(reverse=True)  
print(apples_eaten_a_day) # [3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1]

# Reverse sort to get a new list
sorted_apples_desc = sorted(apples_eaten_a_day_2, reverse=True)  
print(sorted_apples_desc) # [3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1]  

Unlike the sorting algorithm functions we created, both these functions can sort lists of tuples and classes. The sorted() function can sort any iterable object, that includes - lists, strings, tuples, dictionaries, sets, and custom iterators you can create.

These sort functions implement the Tim Sort algorithm, an algorithm inspired by Merge Sort and Insertion Sort.

Speed Comparisons

To get an idea of how quickly they perform, we generate a list of 5000 numbers between 0 and 1000. We then time how long it takes for each algorithm to complete. This is repeated 10 times so that we can more reliably establish a pattern of performance.

These were the results, the time is in seconds:

You would get different values if you set up the test yourself, but the patterns observed should be the same or similar. Bubble Sort is the slowest the worst performer of all the algorithms. While it useful as an introduction to sorting and algorithms, it's not fit for practical use.

We also notice that Quick Sort is very fast, nearly twice as fast as Merge Sort and it wouldn't need as much space to run. Recall that our partition was based on the middle element of the list, different partitions could have different outcomes.

As Insertion Sort performs much less comparisons than Selection Sort, the implementations are usually quicker but in these runs Selection Sort is slightly faster.

Insertion Sorts does much more swaps than Selection Sort. If swapping values takes up considerably more time than comparing values, then this "contrary" result would be plausible.

Be mindful of the environment when choosing your sorting algorithm, as it will affect performance.

Conclusion

Sorting algorithms gives us many ways to order our data. We looked at 6 different algorithms - Bubble Sort, Selection Sort, Insertion Sort, Merge Sort, Heap Sort, Quick Sort - and their implementations in Python.

The amount of comparison and swaps the algorithm performs along with the environment the code runs are key determinants of performance. In real Python applications, it's recommended we stick with the built in Python sort functions for their flexibility on the input and speed.