Algorithm Design Questions
A comparison-based sorting algorithm is one that sorts elements by comparing them using a comparison operator (such as less than or equal to). These algorithms determine the order of elements based on the result of these comparisons. Examples of comparison-based sorting algorithms include bubble sort, insertion sort, merge sort, and quicksort.
On the other hand, a non-comparison-based sorting algorithm does not rely on comparisons to determine the order of elements. Instead, these algorithms use other techniques such as counting, hashing, or specific properties of the elements being sorted. Non-comparison-based sorting algorithms often have a specific set of assumptions or requirements about the input data. Examples of non-comparison-based sorting algorithms include counting sort, radix sort, and bucket sort.
In summary, the main difference between comparison-based and non-comparison-based sorting algorithms lies in the approach used to determine the order of elements. Comparison-based algorithms rely on comparisons between elements, while non-comparison-based algorithms use other techniques to sort the elements.