Fusion Tree Sorting

Abstract

The sorting problem is one of the most relevant problems in computer science. Within the scope of modern computer science it has been studied for more than 70 years. In spite of these facts, new sorting algorithms have been developed in recent years. Among several types of sorting algorithms, some are quicker; others are more economic in relation to space, whereas others insert a few restrictions in relation to data input. This paper is aimed at explaining the fusion tree data structure, which is responsible for the first sorting algorithm with complexity time smaller than nlgn. The nlgn time complexity has led to some confusion and generated the wrong belief in part of the community of being the minimum possible for this type of problem.