What are the advantages of using merge sort?

What are the advantages of using merge sort?

Merge sort is a highly efficient sorting algorithm that works on the divide-and-conquer principle. Its main advantages include stability, predictable O(n log n) time complexity, and it performs well on large datasets.

Can you explain why merge sort is stable?

Sure! Merge sort is stable because it maintains the relative order of records with equal keys. When merging, if two elements are equal, the one that appears first in the original array will also appear first in the sorted array.

How does merge sort compare to quicksort?

Merge sort is generally more stable and has a guaranteed time complexity of O(n log n), while quicksort can be faster on average but has a worst-case time complexity of O(n²). Merge sort also requires additional space for the temporary arrays used during merging.

Is merge sort suitable for linked lists?

Yes, merge sort is particularly well-suited for linked lists because it doesn't require random access to elements, and it can be implemented without additional space by rearranging the links.