C PROGRAMMING PROGRAM • ARRAYS, SEARCHING & SORTING
Sort an Array Using Merge Sort
Learn how to sort an array using merge sort using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
7 38 27 43 3 9 82 10
Sample output
3 9 10 27 38 43 82
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
void merge(int values[], int left, int middle, int right)
{
int temporary[100], first = left, second = middle + 1, count = 0;
while (first <= middle && second <= right)
temporary[count++] = values[first] <= values[second] ? values[first++] : values[second++];
while (first <= middle) temporary[count++] = values[first++];
while (second <= right) temporary[count++] = values[second++];
for (int index = 0; index < count; index++) values[left + index] = temporary[index];
}
void mergeSort(int values[], int left, int right)
{
if (left < right) {
int middle = left + (right - left) / 2;
mergeSort(values, left, middle);
mergeSort(values, middle + 1, right);
merge(values, left, middle, right);
}
}
int main(void)
{
int size, values[100];
scanf("%d", &size);
if (size < 1 || size > 100) return 1;
for (int index = 0; index < size; index++) scanf("%d", &values[index]);
mergeSort(values, 0, size - 1);
for (int index = 0; index < size; index++) printf("%d%c", values[index], index == size - 1 ? '\n' : ' ');
return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
3 9 10 27 38 43 82
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Recursively split the array, then merge each pair of sorted halves.
- Display the computed result.
Recursively split the array, then merge each pair of sorted halves.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(n log n)
Auxiliary space
O(n)
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.
