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Optimal parallel quicksort on EREW PRAM

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Abstract

In this paper, we present parallel quicksort algorithms running inO((n/p+logp) logn) expected time andO((n/p+logp+log logn) logn) deterministic time respectively, and both withO(n) space by usingp processors on EREW PRAM. Whenp=O(n/logn), the cost is optimal, in terms of the product of time and number of processors. These algorithms can be used to obtain parallel algorithms for constructing balanced binary search trees without using sorting algorithms. One of our quicksort algorithms leads to a parallel quickhull algorithm on EREW PRAM.

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The work of this author was partially supported by a fellowship from the College of Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.

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Zhang, W., Rao, N.S.V. Optimal parallel quicksort on EREW PRAM. BIT 31, 69–74 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01952784

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