MERGE SORT Meaning and
Definition
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Merge Sort is a popular comparison-based sorting algorithm that follows the divide-and-conquer strategy to efficiently sort a given array or list. It repeatedly divides the input array into two halves and sorts each half separately. Finally, it merges the sorted halves to produce a single sorted output.
The process of Merge Sort begins by dividing the array into two equal-sized sub-arrays, and then recursively dividing each sub-array until the sub-arrays contain only a single element. At this point, the merging process starts, where the sorted sub-arrays are merged together to form a single, sorted sub-array. This merging process is repeated until the entire array is sorted.
The key idea behind the efficiency of Merge Sort is the merging step. While merging, it compares the elements from both sub-arrays and places them in sorted order, ensuring that the final merged array is sorted. This comparison-based approach ensures correctness and stability.
Merge Sort has a time complexity of O(n log n), making it one of the most efficient sorting algorithms available. It is particularly well-suited for sorting large datasets or external data, as it minimizes the number of comparisons required. Additionally, its stable nature (preserving the order of equal elements) ensures that relative order is maintained. However, it requires additional space for the merging process, as it uses auxiliary arrays, leading to a space complexity of O(n).
Overall, Merge Sort's ability to efficiently sort large datasets and maintain stability has made it a popular choice for sorting applications in various domains.
Etymology of MERGE SORT
The word "merge sort" is derived from the two main operations involved in this sorting algorithm: "merge" and "sort".
The term "merge" comes from the act of merging or combining two sorted sequences into a single sorted sequence. In the merge sort algorithm, during the merging step, the sorted sub-arrays are combined to create a larger sorted array.
The term "sort" refers to the overall process of arranging a set of elements in a particular order. In merge sort, the elements of an array are recursively divided into smaller sub-arrays and then recursively merged back together in sorted order.
Thus, the term "merge sort" describes the process of dividing an array, sorting its individual parts, and merging them back into a single, sorted array.
