ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • LEVEL 12 — ADVANCED SORTING
Merge K Sorted Arrays with a Min Heap
Learn how to merge k sorted arrays with a min heap using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
int arrays[3][4] = {{1, 4, 7, 10}, {2, 5, 8, 11}, {3, 6, 9, 12}};
int position[3] = {0};
for (int output = 0; output < 12; output++) {
int selected = -1;
for (int array = 0; array < 3; array++) if (position[array] < 4 && (selected < 0 || arrays[array][position[array]] < arrays[selected][position[selected]])) selected = array;
printf("%d%c", arrays[selected][position[selected]++], output == 11 ? '\n' : ' ');
}
return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Track the current head of every sorted input and repeatedly emit the smallest available head.
- Display the computed result.
Track the current head of every sorted input and repeatedly emit the smallest available head.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(total * k) demonstration
Auxiliary space
O(k)
DEBUGGING CHECKLIST
Common mistakes
Check this
Use the correct format specifier for every variable.
Check this
Initialize variables before using their values.
Check this
Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.
Try it yourself
Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.
