What are the differences between merge sort and other sorting algorithms?

What are the differences between merge sort and other sorting algorithms?

Merge sort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that splits the array into halves, sorts them, and merges them back. Unlike quicksort, it guarantees O(n log n) time complexity in the worst case.

How does merge sort compare to quicksort in terms of performance?

Quicksort is generally faster in practice due to lower constant factors, but merge sort is more stable and performs better on linked lists.

Is merge sort a stable sorting algorithm?

Yes, merge sort is stable, meaning it maintains the relative order of equal elements, which is beneficial in certain applications.

When should I use merge sort instead of other algorithms?

Use merge sort when you need stable sorting or when dealing with large datasets that don't fit into memory, as it can be implemented with external sorting.