Selection Sort is a simple comparison-based sorting algorithm that works by dividing the list into a sorted and an unsorted region. It repeatedly selects the smallest (or largest) element from the unsorted region and swaps it with the first element in the unsorted region.
Core Characteristics
- Simple and easy to understand
- Inefficient for large datasets due to its quadratic time complexity
- Performs the same number of comparisons regardless of the initial order
Key Operations
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Sort() This operation selects the smallest element from the unsorted region and swaps it with the first element in the unsorted region. This process continues until the entire list is sorted.. Complexity: O(n^2) - Quadratic time operation
Common Applications
- Educational purposes to demonstrate sorting principles
- Suitable for small datasets or scenarios with memory constraints
- Used in scenarios where simplicity is preferred over efficiency