6.6 Heap Sort
Heap Sort is a highly effective and widely used sorting algorithm that is capable of sorting an array or list in place by utilizing a binary heap data structure. This algorithm makes use of a binary tree, known as a binary heap, that maintains a specific order - either min-heap order or max-heap order. In a min-heap, the parent node is always less than or equal to its children, whereas in a max-heap, the parent node is always greater than or equal to its children.
By utilizing this specific order, Heap Sort is able to efficiently and effectively sort arrays and lists of varying sizes. In addition, this algorithm is highly versatile and can be implemented in a variety of programming languages, making it a valuable tool for numerous applications.
Heap Sort operates in two primary stages:
- Heapify: The first stage of the algorithm is the heapification process. This process is essential in transforming the unsorted input array into a max heap. The heapification process...