What sorting algorithm involves repeating a linear search to identify the smallest or largest item in a list?

The sorting algorithm that involves repeatedly searching through the list to find the smallest or largest item is Selection Sort. This algorithm works by dividing the list into two parts: a sorted part and an unsorted part. Initially, the entire list is unsorted. The algorithm iterates over the unsorted portion, selects the smallest (or largest) element, and swaps it with the first element of the unsorted portion. This process is repeated, with the sorted portion growing and the unsorted portion shrinking until no unsorted elements remain.

Selection Sort is characterized by its simplicity and clear steps, making it easy to understand and implement. However, it is not the most efficient sorting method for large datasets, as it has a time complexity of O(n^2) in the worst and average cases.

In contrast, the other sorting algorithms listed work differently. For instance, Bubble Sort continually steps through the list, comparing adjacent items and swapping them if they are in the wrong order, which doesn't specifically involve searching for the smallest or largest item. Insertion Sort builds a sorted array one item at a time, inserting elements into their correct position rather than searching for minimums or maximums. Quick Sort utilizes a divide-and-conquer strategy to partition the list and sort the