Question

If an array is sorted in _______ order, the values are stored from highest to lowest.

Short answer

Answer: Descending order.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Sorted Order

In programming, we often deal with arrays, which are data structures that can store a fixed-size sequential collection of elements of the same type. An array is sorted in a particular order when its elements are arranged following a specific rule. In this exercise, we want to identify the term used for an array sorted from highest to lowest values.

Recognizing Descending Order

When an array's values are stored from highest to lowest, it is sorted in "descending order." In descending order, the elements are arranged from the largest to the smallest value. This is the term that the exercise is looking for.

Task Complete

The answer to the question is: If an array is sorted in _descending_ order, the values are stored from highest to lowest.

Key concepts

Descending Order

When we arrange the items of an array from highest to lowest, they are in what we call "descending order." Imagine a staircase going down, from the top to the bottom. Comparatively, descending order starts with the largest number and progresses to the smallest. This concept is straightforward yet important in programming. It helps quickly identify the highest, lowest, or a specific range of values within a dataset. In practical terms, descending order is like sorting final exam grades from the highest scorer to the lowest, letting you easily pinpoint the top performers.

Data Structures

Data structures are essential components in programming, and one commonly used data structure is an array. An array is an orderly collection of items stored at contiguous memory locations. - They help store multiple items of the same type using a single identifier. - Named with a singular name, elements are accessed using an index number. - Arrays are crucial for keeping track of sequences and lists of data efficiently. Arrays provide a way to organize data logically and are critical for efficient algorithm operations and memory usage. They simplify the handling of collections of data for operations like sorting, searching, and traversal, making them fundamental in programming education and tasks.

Programming Concepts

Programming involves understanding and implementing various key concepts, with array sorting being a significant one. Sorting refers to arranging items systematically, and several methods are used to sort arrays. - Bubble Sort: A simple algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. - Selection Sort: Divides the input list into a sorted and unsorted region, and iteratively selects the smallest (or largest) element from the unsorted section. - Quick Sort: An efficient divide-and-conquer method that selects a 'pivot' element and partitions the array into elements less than or greater than the pivot. Each of these sorting techniques handles data differently and optimally, depending on the specific need and the array size. Sorting is a foundational programming concept that enhances data operation efficiency and is widely applied in multiple computer science fields.