What is JavaScript insertion sort? Explained How It Works

One such popular algorithm is the JavaScript insertion sort. This article delves into the intricacies of the insertion sort algorithm, explaining how it works, its advantages, and practical implementation.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a programming enthusiast, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and understanding

What is javascript insertion sort?

At its core, the JavaScript insertion sort is a simple sorting algorithm that efficiently rearranges elements in an array in ascending or descending order.

It repeatedly takes one element at a time and places it in its correct position relative to the elements already sorted.

This process continues until the entire array is sorted, making it a stable and in-place sorting algorithm.

How insertion sort in javascript Work?

The working of the JavaScript insertion sort can be broken down into a few simple steps:

  1. Divide the Array

    The array is divided into two parts – the left part that contains the sorted elements and the right part that contains the unsorted elements.

  2. Select Element

    The first unsorted element from the right part of the array is selected.

  3. Compare and Insert

    The selected element is compared to the elements in the sorted left part of the array. It is then inserted into its correct position by shifting the larger elements to the right.

  4. Repeat: Steps 2 and 3 are repeated until all elements are sorted.

Implementing JavaScript Insertion Sort

To implement the JavaScript insertion sort, you can follow the code snippet below:

function insertionSort(arr) {
  const n = arr.length;
  for (let i = 1; i < n; i++) {
    let current = arr[i];
    let j = i - 1;
    while (j >= 0 && arr[j] > current) {
      arr[j + 1] = arr[j];
      j--;
    }
    arr[j + 1] = current;
  }
  return arr;
}

const unsortedArray = [64, 34, 25, 12, 22, 11, 90];
const sortedArray = insertionSort(unsortedArray);
console.log(sortedArray); // Output: [11, 12, 22, 25, 34, 64, 90]

Advantages of insertion sort

The JavaScript insertion sort offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for sorting arrays in many scenarios:

  1. Efficiency with Small Arrays: Insertion sort performs exceptionally well with small arrays or nearly sorted arrays, outperforming more complex algorithms like quicksort or merge sort.
  2. Stability: The algorithm preserves the relative order of equal elements, making it a stable sorting algorithm.
  3. In-Place Sorting: Insertion sort requires only a constant amount of additional memory space, making it an in-place sorting algorithm.
  4. Simple Implementation: The simplicity of the algorithm allows for easy and quick implementation

Nevertheless, here are other functions you can learn to enhance your JavaScript skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the JavaScript insertion sort is a versatile and valuable sorting algorithm for efficiently organizing arrays. It maintains stability, requires only minimal additional memory space, and is relatively easy to implement.

Although not the most efficient for larger datasets, insertion sort excels in scenarios involving small or nearly sorted arrays.

By understanding the working and advantages of the insertion sort, you can optimize your array sorting needs effectively.

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