How to Fix Merge Sorted Array Errors

In this tutorial, you'll learn about How to Fix Merge Sorted Array Errors. We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices.

Fix merge sorted array errors when in-place merging overwrites elements or misuses extra space.

Quick Fix

Wrong

def merge(n1,m,n2,n):
    for i in range(n): n1[m+i]=n2[i]
    n1.sort()

O((m+n)log(m+n)) sort ignores pre-sorted arrays.

Right

def merge(n1,m,n2,n):
    p1,p,p2=m-1,m+n-1,n-1
    while p2>=0:
        if p1>=0 and n1[p1]>n2[p2]: n1[p]=n1[p1]; p1-=1
        else: n1[p]=n2[p2]; p2-=1
        p-=1

n1=[1,2,3,0,0,0],m=3,n2=[2,5,6],n=3 -> [1,2,2,3,5,6]. O(m+n).

Prevention

Merge from end to avoid overwriting. Use three pointers.

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