rearrange array (red, white, blue)

1.Description

Suppose an array  A  consists of  n  elements, each of which is red, white, or blue. We seek to rearrange the elements so that all the reds come before all the whites, which come before all the blues. Your algorithm should run in  O(n)  time in the worst case using  O(1)  space.

2.Algorithm

Partition the array using Red as pivot. When done, all the red element will be at the beginning of the array.

Partition the remaining array, from the last Red element until the end, using Blue as pivot. Done.

3.Implementation

import java.util.Arrays;
public class HW2 {
	public static void rearrange(String a[])
	{
		int i=0,n=a.length,j=n-1;
		while(i<j)
		{
			while(i<n&&a[i]=="red") i++;
			while(j>=0&&a[j]!="red") j--;
			if(i<j) swap(a,i,j);
		}
		j=n-1;
		while(i<j)
		{
			while(i<n&&a[i]=="white") i++;
			while(j>=0&&a[j]!="white")	j--;
			if(i<j) swap(a,i,j);
		}
	}
	//exchange two elements in the array
	public static void swap(String a[] ,int i,int j)
	{
		String temp=a[i];
		a[i]=a[j];
		a[j]=temp;	
	}
	public static void main(String[] args){
		String seq[] = {"blue", "white","red", "blue", "blue", "red", "red", "white", "red","white"};
		rearrange(seq);
		System.out.println(Arrays.toString(seq));
	}
}

Screenshot of the result: