I went to the author, Timo Bingmann's, web site at http://panthema.net/, and went to the Sound of Sorting project page.. Free downloads for Windows, Linux and Mac.
It's fun! And highly educational, especially when you can change the shape of the input data to see how sensitive these algorithms all are to the starting conditions.
The QuickSort(ternary, LL ptrs), for example, tore through random input (accompanied by theremin-like sound effects). But when the input data was presorted descending, it turned to molasses, and--I'm not making this up--the sound effect sounds like the rhythmic groaning of Sisyphus pushing that boulder up a hill.
alcaray's bubble sort is also slow, and makes a distinct moaning sound over sorted-descending input. Radix Sort(LSD), which I hadn't heard of, turns out to tackle both sorted and random data with alacrity, and suitably enough, with a jazzy ray gun sound track.
Thank you Timo for writing it, and ER for linking to the video.
Geek Speak » in reply to Bonus link from Buck's Wonkblog Post
For a good time, download the software
The whole thread (13 posts)
- Bonus link from Buck's Wonkblog Post
