Speaking as one with a background in both literary criticism and programming, I think OP's problem in finding le mot juste arises from the fact that he's mixing those two domains in a slightly unusual way.
Litcrit contexts often use expressions like alludes to, is evocative of, suggests, reminds us of, etc. - partly because they're slightly "vague", and encourage the reader to exercise his imagination.
In a technical context talking about how some particular sort algorithm relates to a bubble sort, I wouldn't expect to be told it's reminiscent thereof. Either it does share characteristics or it doesn't. And if it does, I'd want to know exactly how it's similar. If it doesn't, I'd rather not be told I should be seeing it in the same light.
In essence, I think OP should either accept RiMMER's suggestion resembles, or he shouldn't mention the bubble sort at all. If I'm not mistaken, RiMMER has a strong technical background, which is why he'd be biased towards using the "clinically correct" word here (if indeed there is a resemblance) rather than more creative metaphoric alternatives.
The only other thing to add is that "reminds me of a bubble sort" isn't necessarily inappropriate, provided OP is able and willing to identify specific shared characteristics of both algorithms.
The definition for "contempt" @vocabulary.com: ...an extreme lack of respect, may help to clarify the subtle differences in usage. If you think of "contempt" as "an extreme lack of respect," then it follows that the object of your contempt is something that should command (some) respect:
"The workers had nothing but contempt for their manager."
"Disdain" is often reserved for people/things which would be 'looked down upon' by their very nature, or innate lack of value:
"The wedding guests did not conceal their disdain, as they stepped over the wino - who was passed out on the church steps."
"Scorn" is not used very often, in spoken AmE. It can be similar to "disdain" and "contempt", but the feeling of it is not as permanently damning:
"The look of scorn on my mother's face, told me to go back to my room, to put on a jacket and tie."
Best Answer
I think bier might be the word you want; it's defined in modern usage as a "table or platform" on which the corpse or coffin is placed, but I've generally seen it used to describe exactly what you're talking about:
Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, Leon Morris