Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A sorting algorithm is a method for arranging elements in a specific order, such as ascending or descending. It is used to organize data so that it can be easily searched or analyzed.
Related terms
Stable Sorting Algorithm: A stable sorting algorithm maintains the relative order of elements with equal keys during the sorting process.
In-place Sorting Algorithm: An in-place sorting algorithm does not require additional memory space beyond the original array being sorted.
Comparison-based Sorting Algorithm: A comparison-based sorting algorithm compares elements using comparisons to determine their relative order.