This paper summarizes its evolution

Traditionally sorting algorithms are classified according to their main operational characteristic, rather than their underlying logic. More recent work in program synthesis has exposed the logic of and hence the logical relationships between some sorting algorithms. Following the program synthesis approach, and by using a logic programming system for deriving recursive logic procedures from their specifications, we have synthesised a large family of sorting algorithms in a strictly top-down manner. Such an approach not only produces algorithms which are guaranteed to be partially correct, it also provides a family tree showing clearly the relationships between its members. This paper contains c.4500 words, 15 pages, and 1 diagram. 1 Introduction Traditionally, algorithms are "discovered" first, and then proved correct. Sorting algorithms are no exception. More recently, work in program synthesis has been applied to the derivation of algorithms from their specifications. The main adva...