understanding merge sort

[josh]

Here is the code (including the test).
http://pastebin.com/QH46wghT

it's working but i don't understand why this line:
merge_sort(a2)
works. I would think of doing this: a2 = merge_sort(a2) since i don't
see where are we assigning the return value of merge_sort into a2.

I guess there is something with recursion that I completely miss...
Thanks!

 

[sreservoir]

Here is the code (including the test).
http://pastebin.com/QH46wghT

it's working but i don't understand why this line:
merge_sort(a2)
works. I would think of doing this: a2 = merge_sort(a2) since i don't
see where are we assigning the return value of merge_sort into a2.

I guess there is something with recursion that I completely miss...
Thanks!

it's an in-place sort.

 

[David Combs]

it's an in-place sort.

Maybe check out wikipedia, via googling merge sort.

David

 

[Robert Klemme]

Maybe check out wikipedia, via googling merge sort.

Wikipedia is a good source. But I think a good book about algorithms
and data structures (e.g. Sedgewick) should be on anyone's shelve who is
doing programming.

Kind regards

robert