What are the differences between Merge Sort and Heap Sort in C++?

What are the differences between Merge Sort and Heap Sort in C++?

Merge Sort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that divides the array into halves, sorts them, and merges them back. Heap Sort, on the other hand, uses a binary heap data structure to sort elements. Both have different time complexities and use cases.

Can you explain the time complexity of both algorithms?

Sure! Merge Sort has a time complexity of O(n log n) in all cases, while Heap Sort also has a time complexity of O(n log n) but can be slower in practice due to constant factors.

Which one is more efficient for large datasets?

Generally, Merge Sort is preferred for large datasets because it is stable and performs better with large data. However, Heap Sort can be more memory efficient since it sorts in place.

Are there any scenarios where Heap Sort is better?

Yes, Heap Sort can be better when memory usage is a concern, as it doesn't require additional space for merging like Merge Sort does.