time complexity of best sort algorithm
The time complexity of the best sorting algorithm is O(n log n). The explanation for each step is as follows:
- Comparison: Each comparison operation takes constant time, denoted as O(1).
- Splitting: In the case of merge sort or heap sort, the array is recursively divided into smaller subproblems until individual elements are reached. This recursive splitting takes O(log n) time.
- Merging: In the case of merge sort, the sorted subarrays are merged back together, and in heap sort, the heap is reconstructed. Merging operations take O(n) time in the worst case.
- Building the Heap (Heap Sort): Constructing a binary heap from the input array takes O(n) time.
- Partitioning (Quick Sort): Partitioning the array into two halves around a pivot element in quicksort takes O(n) time.
Combining these steps, the overall time complexity of the best sorting algorithms is O(n log n).