Perhaps the most mysterious and unexplained area of computing is the topic of sorting. Computer buffs will argue heatedly the relative merits of Shell-Metzner V exchange sort, while the rest look on rather bemused.

This is sad as selecting the correct sorting process can dramatically speed a program's performance. The problem remained, therefore, how to understand the working process of each sort without having to take a Ph.D in Computer Science.

That was until OIC produced this package. Sort Animator is really a combination of programs that provide a full graphics tutorial outlining the processes and differences in speed and usage of 1. bubble sort, 2. shell sort, 3. exchange sort, 4. shuttle sort and 5. quick sort. Further options are available for inserting the animation routines in your own sorting subroutines. It has been said that a picture paints a thousand words, well a graphical demonstration certainly beats a dozen books.

An absolute must for any seriously learning programmer. Well done, OIC.

P.D.