Shellsort-Algorithm-A-Deep-Dive
Shellsort-Algorithm-A-Deep-Dive
Deep Dive
Shellsort is a sorting algorithm that works by comparing elements
at a specific interval, gradually reducing the interval until it
reaches 1, effectively performing insertion sort on a sorted array.
SM
by Shreya Mahor
Understanding the Shellsort Algorithm
Gap Sequence Insertion Sort
The key to Shellsort is the gap sequence, which Shellsort essentially performs insertion sort with
determines the initial interval between compared progressively smaller intervals, making it faster than
elements. This sequence starts large and decreases, traditional insertion sort.
allowing for faster comparisons and sorting in the initial
steps.
Time Complexity of Shellsort
Best Case: O(n log n)
1 For nearly sorted data
• Faster than insertion sort for large datasets • Time complexity can vary depending on the gap
• Relatively simple to implement sequence