Bug Detector | Python

Python Infinite Recursion Bug in Sorting Algorithm

Explanation of a bug causing infinite recursion loop in Python sorting algorithm function and a solution to fix it. Updated code provided.


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Prompt

def sort(arr):
    if len(arr) <= 1:
        return arr
    else:
        pivot = arr[0]
        less = [x for x in arr[1:] if x <= pivot]
        greater = [x for x in arr[1:] if x > pivot]
        return sort(less) + [pivot] + sort(greater)

print(sort([3,6,8,10,1,2,1]))

Answer

Python Code Inspection

Bug:

  1. There is a bug that causes the function to go into an infinite recursion loop. This occurs when the pivot value in the sort function is not removed from the list before creating the less and greater lists.

Fix:

  1. To fix the bug and prevent infinite recursion, remove the pivot value from the list before creating the less and greater lists. This can be done by modifying the list comprehensions to exclude the pivot element.

Updated Code:

def sort(arr):
    if len(arr) <= 1:
        return arr
    else:
        pivot = arr[0]
        less = [x for x in arr[1:] if x <= pivot]
        greater = [x for x in arr[1:] if x > pivot]
        return sort(less) + [pivot] + sort(greater)

print(sort([3,6,8,10,1,2,1]))

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Description

Explanation of a bug causing infinite recursion loop in Python sorting algorithm function and a solution to fix it. Updated code provided.