Sorting Algorithms that use Recursion
Different sorting algorithms using recursion.
There are many sorting algorithms, but they can be broadly classified based on their approach. Here’s a breakdown:
Sorting Algorithms Classification
1. Comparison-Based Sorting Algorithms
| Sorting Algorithm | Uses Recursion? | Time Complexity (Avg) | Space Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble Sort | ❌ (Iterative) | O(n²) | O(1) |
| Selection Sort | ✅ (Can be written recursively) | O(n²) | O(1) |
| Insertion Sort | ✅ (Can be written recursively) | O(n²) | O(1) |
| Merge Sort | ✅ (Recursion-based) | O(n log n) | O(n) |
| Quick Sort | ✅ (Recursion-based) | O(n log n) | O(log n) (Best case) |
| Heap Sort | ❌ (Uses a heap data structure) | O(n log n) | O(1) |
2. Non-Comparison-Based Sorting Algorithms
| Sorting Algorithm | Uses Recursion? | Time Complexity (Avg) | Space Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counting Sort | ❌ (Iterative) | O(n + k) | O(k) |
| Radix Sort | ❌ (Iterative) | O(nk) | O(n + k) |
| Bucket Sort | ❌ (Iterative) | O(n + k) | O(n) |
Which Sorting Algorithms Use Recursion?
✅ Recursive Sorts:
- Selection Sort (can be recursive)
- Insertion Sort (can be recursive)
- Merge Sort (recursive by nature)
- Quick Sort (recursive by nature)
❌ Non-Recursive Sorts:
- Bubble Sort
- Heap Sort
- Counting Sort
- Radix Sort
- Bucket Sort
Key Takeaways
- Merge Sort and Quick Sort are inherently recursive.
- Selection Sort and Insertion Sort can be written recursively but are usually iterative.
- Non-comparison sorts (like Counting Sort, Radix Sort, Bucket Sort) do not use recursion.
- Heap Sort uses a heap data structure instead of recursion.