Explain a bubble sort. You may use pseudocode and/or diagrams to help demonstrate your answer.

A bubble sort works by performing a number of passes on a list of data. With each pass the list will get closer to the final order. During a pass the algorithm compares a selected item with each item in the list. They are swapped if they are out of position. If sorting a numerical list in ascending order the number 1 would 'bubble' to the top of the list.
var length = list.lengthfor var i loop from 0 to length of list -1for var j loop from 0 to length of list -1 - iif(list(j) > list(j+1)) thenvar temporary = list(j)list(j) = list(j+1)list(j+1) = temporaryend ifnext jnext i

CF
Answered by Christopher F. Computing tutor

2150 Views

See similar Computing A Level tutors

Related Computing A Level answers

All answers ▸

Write a small program, in pseudocode or otherwise, that demonstrates a recursive algorithm. Write a small explanation of how recursion is used in your program.


What is an interface and why are they useful?


Write pseudocode for the linear search algorithm, and then explain it’s complexity using big-O notation


Some problems are intractable. What does it mean for a problem to be described as intractable?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning