Insertion Sort
Insertion Sort is a simple, comparison-based sorting algorithm that builds a sorted array one element at a time by repeatedly inserting the next element into its correct position within the already-sorted portion. It works by iterating through the array, comparing each element with those before it, and shifting elements to make space for insertion. This algorithm is efficient for small datasets or nearly sorted data due to its low overhead and adaptive nature.
Developers should learn Insertion Sort for educational purposes to understand fundamental sorting concepts, such as in-place sorting and adaptive algorithms, often taught in computer science courses. It is practical for small arrays (e.g., less than 10-20 elements) where its O(n^2) time complexity is acceptable, or for nearly sorted data where it can approach O(n) performance, making it useful in scenarios like sorting small lists in embedded systems or as a subroutine in more complex algorithms like Timsort.