stooge sort

(algorithm)

Definition: A terribly inefficient sort algorithm that swaps the top and bottom items if needed, then (recursively) sorts the bottom two-thirds, then the top two-thirds, then the bottom two-thirds again.

See also bozo sort, bogosort, lucky sort.

Author: PEB

Implementation

demonstration and source code (Java).

Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.

Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Tue Dec 6 16:16:33 2011.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "stooge sort", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed., U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/stoogesort.html