Updated list does not get used in Python

Question

import math

array = [16,5,3,4,11,9,13]


for x in array[0:len(array)-1]:
    key=x
    index=array.index(x)
    posj=index
    for y in array[index+1:len(array)]:
        if y<key:
            key=y
            posj=array.index(y)
    if index!=posj:
        hold=array[index]
        array[index]=key
        array[posj]=hold


print(array)

I'm trying to implement insertion sort. It appears after using the debugger that in every loop iteration, it is using the array [16,5,3,4,11,9,13] instead of the updated array that results after a loop iteration.

How can I make x be the updated element for the given indicie?

Since you haven't assigned the copy to any variable you can't. I'm also unsure why you are creating a copy at all instead of iterating over the array by index — UnholySheep
– UnholySheep, Commented Aug 27, 2020 at 7:20
Good point, I guess my ignorance with Python is showing. Should I delete this question? — Rijad Hadzic
– Rijad Hadzic, Commented Aug 27, 2020 at 7:22

Abhishek Prusty · Accepted Answer · 2020-08-27 07:24:02Z

2

Instead of

for x in array[0:len(array)-1]:

try

for x in array:

Output

[3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16]

answered Aug 27, 2020 at 7:24

Abhishek Prusty

8649 silver badges16 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

Rijad Hadzic Over a year ago

Doing it this way leaves me with only the option of iterating through every element though. How can I iterate through only n-1 elements without making a copy of the array? Not that it matters in this particular implementation, but for future refrence I would like to know.

Abhishek Prusty Over a year ago

use a counter and break condition

Sarvagya Gupta Over a year ago

So what the difference between your solution and array[0:len(array)].

Abhishek Prusty Over a year ago

array[0:len(array)] creates a copy

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Updated list does not get used in Python

1 Answer 1

Output

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Output

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related