Is Sort an Array easy or hard?

The problem is rated Medium because it requires implementing a full sorting algorithm rather than calling a built-in function. Understanding recursion, partitioning, or merging logic is necessary to achieve the optimal O(n log n) solution.

How to solve Sort an Array in O(n)?

Linear-time sorting is possible only when additional constraints exist. Counting Sort or Radix Sort can achieve O(n + k) time where k is the value range or digit base. These approaches avoid element comparisons and instead group numbers into buckets based on their values or digits.

Sort an Array Python or Java solution?

Typical implementations use Merge Sort or Quick Sort. Python, Java, C++, and C solutions follow the same logic: recursively split the array (Merge Sort) or partition around a pivot (Quick Sort) until the array becomes fully sorted.

What is the best approach for Sort an Array?

Merge Sort and Quick Sort are the most common approaches. Both achieve O(n log n) average time complexity and are standard interview implementations. Merge Sort guarantees O(n log n) time but uses O(n) extra memory, while Quick Sort is in-place with O(log n) stack space but has a worst case of O(n^2).

Is Sort an Array asked at Google/Amazon/Meta?

Sorting fundamentals frequently appear in interviews at companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta. While the exact problem may vary, candidates are often asked to implement Merge Sort or Quick Sort to demonstrate understanding of divide-and-conquer and algorithmic complexity.

What data structure is used in Sort an Array?

The primary data structure is the array itself. Merge Sort temporarily uses auxiliary arrays during merging, while Quick Sort rearranges elements in-place using pointer swaps during partitioning.

What is the time complexity of Sort an Array?

Efficient comparison-based sorting algorithms such as Merge Sort and Quick Sort run in O(n log n) time on average. Merge Sort guarantees O(n log n) in all cases, while Quick Sort has an average of O(n log n) and a worst case of O(n^2).

Description Solution Video 17:13

912. Sort an Array

Medium55.9% acceptance12 companies

Given an array of integers nums, sort the array in ascending order and return it.

You must solve the problem without using any built-in functions in O(nlog(n)) time complexity and with the smallest space complexity possible.

Example 1:

Input: nums = [5,2,3,1]
Output: [1,2,3,5]
Explanation: After sorting the array, the positions of some numbers are not changed (for example, 2 and 3), while the positions of other numbers are changed (for example, 1 and 5).

Example 2:

Input: nums = [5,1,1,2,0,0]
Output: [0,0,1,1,2,5]
Explanation: Note that the values of nums are not necessairly unique.

Constraints:

1 <= nums.length <= 5 * 10⁴
-5 * 10⁴ <= nums[i] <= 5 * 10⁴

Asked at 12 companies

Hive Meta

Google Bloomberg

TCS

Infosys Amazon Microsoft Oracle Accenture JPMorgan Chase Apple

Topics

17:13

Still stuck?Read 3 approaches, or watch a walkthrough.

Open solution

LanguageLoading editor…

1class Solution:
2    def sortArray(self, nums: List[int]) -> List[int]:
3        

Starter codePython 3Spaces: 4

Examples

Case 1Case 2

Input

[5,2,3,1]

Input

[5,1,1,2,0,0]

Your code is saved on this device.Solution