Also generate the sign of the permutation which is +1 when the permutation is generated from an even number of swaps from the initial state, and -1 for odd.
Such data are of use in generating the [[Matrix arithmetic|determinant]] of a square matrix and any functions created should bear this in mind.
Note: The Steinhaus–Johnson–Trotter algorithm generates successive permutations where ''adjacent'' items are swapped, but from [[wp:Parity_of_a_permutation#Example|this]] discussion adjacency is not a requirement.