How to Sort an Array by Alternating Largest and Smallest Values in Java

Learn how to sort an array in Java by alternating its largest and smallest values.
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Sorting an array can often be a straightforward process, but achieving specific ordering patterns, such as alternating between the largest and smallest values, can pose additional challenges. In this guide, we'll explore how to sort an integer array in Java such that the elements alternate between the largest and smallest values.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sorting an Array by Alternating Largest and Smallest Values

Understanding the Problem
To achieve an array where values alternate between the largest and smallest from a sorted array, you would need to:

Sort the array in ascending order.

Extract the largest and smallest values in a pattern to achieve the alternating sequence.

Sample Code Implementation
Here’s how we can implement this in Java:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation

Step 2: We prepare a new array, result, which will store the sorted values in the desired alternating pattern.

Step 3: Two pointers are initialized. smallestIndex starts at the beginning of the array, and largestIndex starts at the end.

Step 4: We iterate through the original array. On even indices, we assign the largest remaining value to the result array; on odd indices, we assign the smallest remaining value.

Step 5: Finally, we print out both the original sorted array and the newly created alternating array.

The Final Output
Running the above code will yield the following result for the provided input:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The output array successfully alternates between the largest and smallest values from the sorted input array.

Conclusion
Sorting an array in a non-standard pattern like alternating between the largest and smallest values is an intriguing problem that can be efficiently tackled by breaking it down into smaller, logical steps. By first sorting the array and then using a dual-pointer technique, we can achieve the desired result in an organized and clear manner.