Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Unsorted data refers to data that is not organized or arranged according to any specific order or pattern.
Related terms
Sorting Algorithm: Algorithms used to rearrange elements into either ascending or descending order.
Selection Sort: A simple sorting algorithm that finds the minimum (or maximum) element from an unsorted portion and places it at the beginning (or end) of the sorted portion.
Insertion Sort: A sorting algorithm that builds up the final sorted array one item at a time by inserting each new item into its proper position within the sorted portion.