QUICKSORT Meaning and
Definition
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Quicksort is a widely used efficient sorting algorithm used to arrange elements in a specific order. It is a comparison-based sorting methodology that works by repeatedly partitioning an array or list into smaller subsets, ultimately sorting the elements in a balanced manner. Quicksort is popular due to its effectiveness in contrast to other sorting techniques.
The process of quicksort begins by selecting a pivot element from the given array or list. The pivot element can be any arbitrary value, often chosen as the first or last element in the list. The purpose of a pivot is to divide the array into two partitions, one with elements smaller than the pivot and the other with elements greater than the pivot. This partitioning step is accomplished by iterating through the list, rearranging elements to the appropriate side of the pivot.
Once the partitioning is complete, the pivot element is in its final sorted position. Then, the same process is repeated recursively on the two sub-arrays created by the partitioning step, until the entire list is sorted.
Quicksort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm, meaning that it breaks down a problem into smaller, more manageable subproblems. This approach allows the algorithm to sort large lists relatively quickly, making it one of the most efficient sorting algorithms in practice. However, its worst-case time complexity is O(n^2) when the pivot selection is inefficient or the given list is already sorted.
Etymology of QUICKSORT
The term "quicksort" is derived from the combination of two words: "quick" and "sort".
The word "quick" refers to the efficiency and speed of the sorting algorithm. Quicksort is known for its relatively fast performance compared to other sorting algorithms, especially for large data sets.
The word "sort" indicates the main purpose of the algorithm, which is to arrange or organize a collection of elements in a specific order, typically ascending or descending.
Quicksort was developed by British computer scientist Tony Hoare in 1959, and the name was given to highlight the algorithm's characteristic of quick and efficient sorting.
