The core concept is to treat each row of the multidimensional array as a single element and use a
sorting algorithm (e.g., bubble sort, insertion sort, quicksort) to compare rows based on the values in the chosen column.
Explanation:
1. sort2DArrayByColumn Function:
◦ Takes the 2D array, the number of rows, and the index of the column to sort by as input. ◦ Uses bubble sort to compare rows based on the values in the speci ed column. ◦ Swaps entire rows if the order is incorrect. 2. main Function:
◦ Initializes a sample 2D array.
◦ Prints the original array. ◦ Calls sort2DArrayByColumn to sort by the second column. ◦ Prints the sorted array. Choosing Sorting Algorithms:
• Bubble Sort: Simple but inef cient for large arrays (O(n^2) time complexity). Suitable for small datasets or educational purposes. • Insertion Sort: Generally more ef cient than bubble sort for smaller arrays. • Quicksort: Often the best choice for large arrays due to its average O(n log n) time complexity. However, it can have a worst-case O(n^2) complexity. • Merge Sort: Also has O(n log n) average time complexity and is stable (maintains relative order of equal elements). • Other Options: Explore more sorting algorithms (e.g., heap sort, selection sort) depending on your speci c requirements and dataset size. Key Improvements:
• Generic Function: The provided example works for a 2D array with 3 columns. You can generalize the sort2DArrayByColumn function to handle arrays with varying numbers of columns. • Data Types: Adapt the code to work with different data types (e.g., float, double, strings) as needed. fi fi fi fi
