20. Mergesort, analysis
Merge Sort is an efficient sorting algorithm that operates in O(n log n) time. It employs a divide-and-conquer approach, breaking the list into smaller parts, sorting each part, and then merging them back together. Although it is superior to simple sorting algorithms like insertion sort and selection sort, it does require additional space and has some overhead due to its recursive nature.
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What we have learnt
- Merge sort runs in O(n log n) time and is more efficient than simpler sorting algorithms.
- The merge operation can combine two sorted lists into one while maintaining order.
- Merge sort can be used for various operations including list merging, intersection, and difference.
Key Concepts
- -- Merge Sort
- A recursive sorting algorithm that divides the array into halves, sorts each half, and then merges them back together.
- -- Merge Function
- A part of the merge sort algorithm that combines two sorted lists into a single sorted list.
- -- Time Complexity
- A measurement of the time required for an algorithm to run as a function of the length of the input.
- -- Divide and Conquer
- An algorithm design paradigm that breaks a problem into smaller sub-problems, solves each sub-problem recursively, and then combines the solutions.
Additional Learning Materials
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