Bubble Sort Algorithm Tutorial in C and C++ | Learn It the Easy Way [2026]

What is Bubble Sort?

Bubble Sort Algorithm: Bubble Sort is one of the most fundamental and widely recognized sorting algorithms in computer science. Its simplicity and educational value make it a popular choice for introducing beginners to the concept of algorithmic thinking and sorting mechanisms. Though not the most efficient for large datasets, Bubble Sort’s step-by-step operation provides an excellent foundation for understanding how comparison-based sorting works.

Bubble Sort Key Features

• In-place sorting algorithm
• Stable sorting technique
• Works in O(n²) time complexity
• Best sorting algorithm for small data sets

Bubble Sort Algorithm Explained

Bubble Sort goes through the list, swapping neighboring elements that are out of order, and keeps repeating this process until the entire list is sorted.

How does bubble sort work ?

1. Start from the beginning of the array
2. Compare each pair of adjacent elements
3. If two neighboring elements aren’t in the correct order, simply swap them to move closer to the desired sequence.
4. Repeat until no swaps are needed

Bubble Sort Code in C

#include 

void bubbleSort(int arr[], int n) {
    for (int i = 0; i < n - 1; i++) {
        for (int j = 0; j < n - i - 1; j++) {
            if (arr[j] > arr[j + 1]) {
                // Swap
                int temp = arr[j];
                arr[j] = arr[j + 1];
                arr[j + 1] = temp;
            }
        }
    }
}

Bubble Sort Code in C++

#include 
using namespace std;

void bubbleSort(int arr[], int n) {
    for (int i = 0; i < n - 1; i++) {
        for (int j = 0; j < n - i - 1; j++) {
            if (arr[j] > arr[j + 1]) {
                swap(arr[j], arr[j + 1]);
            }
        }
    }
}

What is the best case time complexity of bubble sort?

• Space Complexity: O(1) – No extra space used
• Best for educational purposes, interview preparation, and embedded systems sorting problems

Can bubble sorter used in alphabetical order?

we can compare strings using comparison operators like > or <, or use string comparison functions depending on the programming language.

Exmaple in C

#include 
#include 
using namespace std;

void bubbleSort(string arr[], int n) {
    for (int i = 0; i < n-1; ++i) {
        for (int j = 0; j < n-i-1; ++j) {
            if (arr[j] > arr[j+1]) {
                // Swap if out of order
                string temp = arr[j];
                arr[j] = arr[j+1];
                arr[j+1] = temp;
            }
        }
    }
}

int main() {
    string names[] = {"banana", "apple", "grape", "cherry"};
    int n = sizeof(names)/sizeof(names[0]);

    bubbleSort(names, n);

    cout << "Sorted names:\n";
    for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i)
        cout << names[i] << endl;

    return 0;
}

Can bubble sort be used for descending order ?

Bubble sort can be easily modified to sort in descending order by just changing the comparison condition.

Key Difference:

• Ascending order: if (arr[j] > arr[j+1])
• Descending order: if (arr[j] < arr[j+1])

Example: Descending Order (C++)

#include 
using namespace std;

void bubbleSortDescending(int arr[], int n) {
    for (int i = 0; i < n - 1; ++i) {
        for (int j = 0; j < n - i - 1; ++j) {
            if (arr[j] < arr[j + 1]) {
                // Swap for descending order
                int temp = arr[j];
                arr[j] = arr[j + 1];
                arr[j + 1] = temp;
            }
        }
    }
}

int main() {
    int numbers[] = {10, 4, 7, 1, 9};
    int n = sizeof(numbers) / sizeof(numbers[0]);

    bubbleSortDescending(numbers, n);

    cout << "Sorted in descending order:\n";
    for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i)
        cout << numbers[i] << " ";

    return 0;
}

Output:

Sorted in descending order:
10 9 7 4 1

You can do the same thing with strings for reverse alphabetical order:

if (arr[j] < arr[j+1]) // for strings

Benefits of Bubble Sort

• Easy to implement
• Perfect for beginner programmers
• Helps understand the concept of element swapping and iteration
• Frequently asked in coding interviews and technical exams

Applications of Bubble Sort

• Embedded software systems
• Microcontroller data sorting
• Sorting sensor values
• Small dataset processing in IoT

Final Thoughts

Use Bubble Sort to master the basics of sorting algorithms. With its simple logic and straightforward code, it’s ideal for learning, teaching, and solving real-world problems in C and C++.

You can also Visit other tutorials of Embedded Prep

• What is eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) memory ?
• Top 30+ I2C Interview Questions
• Bit Manipulation Interview Questions
• Structure and Union in c
• Little Endian vs. Big Endian: A Complete Guide
• Merge sort algorithm

Special thanks to @embedded-prep for contributing to this article on Embedded Prep

Raj Kumar

Mr. Raj Kumar is a highly experienced Technical Content Engineer with 7 years of dedicated expertise in the intricate field of embedded systems. At Embedded Prep, Raj is at the forefront of creating and curating high-quality technical content designed to educate and empower aspiring and seasoned professionals in the embedded domain.

Throughout his career, Raj has honed a unique skill set that bridges the gap between deep technical understanding and effective communication. His work encompasses a wide range of educational materials, including in-depth tutorials, practical guides, course modules, and insightful articles focused on embedded hardware and software solutions. He possesses a strong grasp of embedded architectures, microcontrollers, real-time operating systems (RTOS), firmware development, and various communication protocols relevant to the embedded industry.

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