NIST

easy split, hard merge

(algorithmic technique)

Definition: A recursive algorithm, especially a sort algorithm, where dividing (splitting) into smaller problems is quick or simple and combining (merging) the solutions is time consuming or complex.

Generalization (I am a kind of ...)
divide and conquer.

Aggregate parent (I am a part of or used in ...)
merge sort, strand sort, insertion sort.

See also hard split, easy merge.

Note: Although the notion is wide spread, I first heard this term from Doug Edwards about 1994.

Called "Divide form" of using divide and conquer in [ATCH99, page 3-3].

Author: PEB


Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.

Entry modified 27 October 2005.
HTML page formatted Wed Mar 13 12:42:45 2019.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "easy split, hard merge", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed. 27 October 2005. (accessed TODAY) Available from: https://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/easySplitHardMerge.html