Write a version of the selection sort algorithm that can be used to sort a list of strings | MindTap Computing for Malik's C++ Programming 8th Edition

Introduction:

Write a version of the selection sort algorithm that can be used to sort a list of strings.

Source: MindTap Computing for Malik's C++ Programming From Problem Analysis to Program Design, 8th Edition, [Instant Access] (8th)-Malik, chapter 16, programming exercises 8.

Solved!

The objective of the programming exercise is to write a function to sort a given list of strings using selection sort.

Program Plan:

· Define header section.

·     Define void selectionSort(vector<string> &arr) function that take vector of string as pass by reference.

o   Declare array size int n = arr.size().

o   Use for loop i from 0 to n-2.

§ Declare int min_index = i, tracks minimum element index in array arr[i]...arr[n-1].

§ Use for loop j from i+1 to n-1.

·       If arr[j] < arr[min_index].

o   Assignment j to min_index.

§ Swap element at index i and min_index.

·       Define main() function (testing function).

o   Declare int n variable.

o   Take user input for list size n.

o   Declare vector<string> arr(n).

o   Take user input for strings using for loop.

o   Call to function selectionSort().

o   Print the list of the string after sorting using for loop.

Program:

// write a function to sort a given list of strings using selection sort.

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

using namespace std;

// selectionSort() that take vector of string as reference parameter.
// and sort given list using selection sort algorithm.
void selectionSort(vector<string> &arr)
{
    int n = arr.size();
    // for loop i from 0 to n-2.    
    for (int i = 0; i < n - 1; i++)
    {
        // set min_index to i.
        // min_index tracks minimum element index in array arr[i]...arr[n-1].
        int min_index = i;
        for (int j = i + 1; j < n; j++)
        {
            // if arr[j] is less than arr[min_index] .
            if (arr[j] < arr[min_index])
            {
                // assignment j to min_index.
                min_index = j;
            }
        }
        // swap element at index i and min_index
        swap(arr[i], arr[min_index]);
    }
}

// driver program.
int main()
{
    // declare variable n.
    int n;
    cout << "Enter size of list of string: ";
    // take user input.
    cin >> n;
    // declare vector arr of string of size n.
    vector<string> arr(n);
    // take user input for arr vector using  for loop.
    cout << "Enter " << n << " words: " << endl;
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        cin >> arr[i];
    }
    cout << endl;

    // call to selection sort function.
    selectionSort(arr);

    // print array after sortting.
    cout << "List of string after selection sort: ";
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        cout << arr[i] << ", ";
    }
    cout << endl;

    // end.
    return 0;
}