Insertion Sort Algorithm in Java with Program Example

ByJames Hartman Hours Updated

What is Insertion Sort Algorithm?

Insertion sort is a simple sorting algorithm suited for small data sets. During each iteration, the algorithm:

  • Removes an element from an array.
  • Compares it against the largest value in the array.
  • Moves the element to its correct location.

Insertion Sort Algorithm Process

Here is how the Insertion sort algorithm process works graphically:



Insertion Sort Algorithm Process

Java Program Example to Sort an Array using Insertion Sort Algorithm:

package com.guru99;
 
public class InsertionSortExample {
 
	
    public static void main(String a[])
    {    
        int[] myArray  = {860,8,200,9};  
        
        System.out.println("Before Insertion Sort");  
        
        printArray(myArray);
            
        insertionSort(myArray);//sorting array using insertion sort    
           
        System.out.println("After Insertion Sort");  
        
        printArray(myArray);   
    }    
 public static void insertionSort(int arr[]) 
	{  
        int n = arr.length;  
        
        for (int i = 1; i < n; i++)
        {   System.out.println("Sort Pass Number "+(i));
            int key = arr[i];  
            int j = i-1;  
            
            while ( (j > -1) && ( arr [j] > key ) ) 
            {  
            System.out.println("Comparing "+ key  + " and " + arr [j]); 
                arr [j+1] = arr [j];  
                j--;  
            }  
            arr[j+1] = key; 
            System.out.println("Swapping Elements: New Array After Swap");
            printArray(arr);
        }  
    }
 static void printArray(int[] array){
	    
	    for(int i=0; i < array.length; i++)
		{  
			System.out.print(array[i] + " ");  
		} 
	    System.out.println();
	    
	}
}

Code Output:

Before Insertion Sort
860 8 200 9 
Sort Pass Number 1
Comparing 8 and 860
Swapping Elements: New Array After Swap
8 860 200 9 
Sort Pass Number 2
Comparing 200 and 860
Swapping Elements: New Array After Swap
8 200 860 9 
Sort Pass Number 3
Comparing 9 and 860
Comparing 9 and 200
Swapping Elements: New Array After Swap
8 9 200 860 
After Insertion Sort
8 9 200 860

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