ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • LEVEL 12 — ADVANCED SORTING

Minimize Array Writes with Cycle Sort

Learn how to minimize array writes with cycle sort using a clear C program.

AdvancedAdvanced sortingOrdering

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input

No input required

Sample output

1 2 3 4 8 9 10 10
Writes = 6

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

#include <stdio.h>

void print_values(const int values[], int count) { for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) printf("%d%c", values[i], i == count - 1 ? '\n' : ' '); }

int main(void)
{
    int values[] = {1, 8, 3, 9, 10, 10, 2, 4}, writes = 0;
    for (int start = 0; start < 7; start++) {
        int item = values[start], position = start;
        for (int i = start + 1; i < 8; i++) if (values[i] < item) position++;
        if (position == start) continue;
        while (item == values[position]) position++;
        int temp = values[position]; values[position] = item; item = temp; writes++;
        while (position != start) {
            position = start;
            for (int i = start + 1; i < 8; i++) if (values[i] < item) position++;
            while (item == values[position]) position++;
            temp = values[position]; values[position] = item; item = temp; writes++;
        }
    }
    print_values(values, 8); printf("Writes = %d\n", writes); return 0;
}

CURRENT STEP

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SELECTED LINE

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

1 2 3 4 8 9 10 10
Writes = 6

0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

Read the required input values.
Rotate each permutation cycle so every value is written directly to its final rank.
Display the computed result.

Rotate each permutation cycle so every value is written directly to its final rank.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n^2)

Auxiliary space

O(1)

DEBUGGING CHECKLIST

Common mistakes

Check this

Use the correct format specifier for every variable.

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Initialize variables before using their values.

Check this

Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.

Try it yourself

Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.