Question

Explain the quicksort algorithm for sorting arrays in your own words or using a piece of code

Answer 1

Answer:

Similar to merge sort in C, quicksort in C follows the principle of decrease and conquer, or as it is often called, divide and conquer. The quicksort algorithm is a sorting algorithm that works by selecting a pivot point, and thereafter partitioning the number set, or array, around the pivot point.

Also known as partition-exchange sort, quicksort was developed by Tony Hoare, a British computer scientist, in 1959. Since its publishing in 1961, quicksort has become one of the top choices in sorting algorithms.

The Quicksort Process

Once the partitioning is done, the group of elements smaller than the pivot element is placed before it, and the remaining, greater ones, after it. There are several variations of the quick sort algorithm, depending on what kind of element (or number) is selected as the pivot:

The first element as the pivot

The last element as the pivot

A random element as the pivot

Median as the pivot