School of Engineering and Applied Science Department of Computer Science CSci 41 -- Introduction to Computer Science http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~csci41/fall05 Prof. Michael B. Feldman mfeldman@gwu.edu

A common and important application of computers is putting sets of data in a certain order; this is called sorting. There are many, many, algorithms for sorting; in this lab you will "invent" one.

In this lab, each pair of students will be given a deck of cards, each with a word printed on it. Your task is to arrange these cards so the words are in alphabetical order. As you arrange the cards in order, write down, as precisely as you can, just how you are doing this. You need not use any particular "language" or style in writing the steps. Don't use a programming language, though, even if you know one. Try to stick to "structured English".

There is not a "right answer" to the alphabetization method. Use whatever approach comes to mind between you and your partner. The important thing is that you write down the steps you are using, as precisely as you can.

After 45 minutes or so, the lab instructor will collect the decks of cards and ask each team to explain their algorithm. That way, the class can compare the different methods the teams came up with.