Using insertion sort on a singly linked list

Question

So I have an assignment where I\'m giving a random list of number and I need to sort them using insertion sort. I must use a singly linked list. I looked around at other posts b

Answer 1

Let's think about how Insertion Sort works: It "splits" (in theory) the list into three groups: the sorted subset (which may be empty), the current item and the unsorted subset (which may be empty). Everything before the current item is sorted. Everything after the current item may or may not be sorted. The algorithm checks the current item, comparing it with the next item. Remember that the first item after the current item belongs to the unsorted subset.

Let's assume that you are sorting integers in increasing order (so given "3,1,5,2,4" you want to get "1,2,3,4,5"). You set your current item to the first item in the list. Now you begin sorting:

If the next item is greater than the current item, you don't need to sort that item. Just make it "current item" and continue.

If the next item is less than the current item then you have some work to do. First, save the next item somewhere - let's say in a pointer called temp - and then "remove" the next item from the list, by making current->next = current->next->next. Now, you need to find right place for the removed item. You can do this in two ways:

1. Either start from the beginning of the list, going forward until you find the correct position. Once you do, you insert the item there and you continue your insertion sort. This is the simplest solution if you have a singly-linked list.
2. You go backwards, until you find the correct spot for the item. Once you do, you insert the item there and you continue your insertion sort. This is a bit more involved but can work well if you have a doubly-linked list.

You continue this process until you reach the end of the list. Once you reach it, you know that you have completed your insertion sort and the list is in the correct sorted order.

I hope this helps.