Bubble Sort vs QuickSort: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between Bubble Sort and QuickSort?

Bubble Sort is a simple algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. QuickSort, on the other hand, is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that selects a 'pivot' element and partitions the array into two sub-arrays, which are then sorted recursively.

Which one is faster for large datasets?

QuickSort is generally much faster than Bubble Sort for large datasets due to its average time complexity of O(n log n), compared to Bubble Sort's O(n²).

Are there any scenarios where Bubble Sort might be preferred?

Yes, Bubble Sort can be useful for small datasets or when the list is nearly sorted, as its implementation is straightforward and it can be optimized to stop early if no swaps are made.

Can you give me a simple example of how each algorithm works?

Sure! For Bubble Sort, imagine sorting the list [5, 3, 8]. It would compare 5 and 3, swap them, then compare 5 and 8. For QuickSort, it might choose 5 as a pivot, partitioning the list into [3] and [8, 5], and then sorting those recursively.