bogo-sort

<algorithm, humour>

/boh"goh-sort"/ (Or "stupid-sort") The archetypical perversely awful algorithm (as opposed to bubble sort, which is merely the generic *bad* algorithm). Bogo-sort is equivalent to repeatedly throwing a deck of cards in the air, picking them up at random, and then testing whether they are in order. It serves as a sort of canonical example of awfulness. Looking at a program and seeing a dumb algorithm, one might say "Oh, I see, this program uses bogo-sort."

Also known as "monkey sort" after the Infinite Monkey Theorem.

Compare brute force, Lasherism.

An implementation.

[Jargon File]

Last updated: 2002-04-07

Nearby terms:

bogon filter ♦ bogon flux ♦ bogosity ♦ bogo-sort ♦ bogotify ♦ bogue out ♦ BOHICA

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