When should I use merge sort instead of quick sort?

When should I use merge sort instead of quick sort?

Merge sort is preferred for large datasets and when stability is required, while quick sort is faster on average.

What do you mean by stability in sorting algorithms?

Stability means that equal elements maintain their relative order after sorting. Merge sort is stable, quick sort is not.

Are there specific scenarios where quick sort outperforms merge sort?

Yes, quick sort generally performs better on smaller datasets and in-memory sorting due to lower overhead.

Can you give me an example of a situation to use each?

Use merge sort for sorting linked lists or large files on disk, and quick sort for sorting arrays in memory.