Sorting Algorithm Animator
Overview
The Sorting Algorithm Animator brings sorting algorithms to life with step-by-step visualizations. Watch how bubble sort, insertion sort, selection sort, merge sort, quick sort, and heap sort work through color-coded comparisons and swaps. Adjust array size and animation speed, compare algorithm efficiency, and build intuition for why some algorithms outperform others.
Tips
- Start with bubble sort on a small array (10-20 elements) to see the basic comparison-and-swap pattern
- Notice how selection sort always makes n-1 swaps regardless of input - it finds the minimum each iteration
- Insertion sort is efficient on nearly sorted arrays - try the “Nearly Sorted” option to see it shine
- Merge sort and quick sort use divide-and-conquer - watch how they break the problem into smaller pieces
- Heap sort builds a heap structure first, then repeatedly extracts the maximum - two distinct phases
- Compare swap and comparison counts between algorithms - O(n log n) algorithms show dramatic improvements
- Use step-through mode to understand exactly what’s happening at each comparison
- The “Reversed” array option shows worst-case behavior for many simple algorithms