sort.rb

# Sample implementation of quicksort and mergesort in ruby
# Both algorithm sort in O(n * lg(n)) time
# Quicksort works inplace, where mergesort works in a new array

def quicksort(array, from=0, to=nil)
    if to == nil
        # Sort the whole array, by default
        to = array.count - 1
    end

    if from >= to
        # Done sorting
        return
    end

    # Take a pivot value, at the far left
    pivot = array[from]

    # Min and Max pointers
    min = from
    max = to

    # Current free slot
    free = min

    while min < max
        if free == min # Evaluate array[max]
            if array[max] <= pivot # Smaller than pivot, must move
                array[free] = array[max]
                min += 1
                free = max
            else
                max -= 1
            end
        elsif free == max # Evaluate array[min]
            if array[min] >= pivot # Bigger than pivot, must move
                array[free] = array[min]
                max -= 1
                free = min
            else
                min += 1
            end
        else
            raise "Inconsistent state"
        end
    end

    array[free] = pivot

    quicksort array, from, free - 1
    quicksort array, free + 1, to
end

def mergesort(array)
    if array.count <= 1
        # Array of length 1 or less is always sorted
        return array
    end

    # Apply "Divide & Conquer" strategy

    # 1. Divide
    mid = array.count / 2
    part_a = mergesort array.slice(0, mid)
    part_b = mergesort array.slice(mid, array.count - mid)

    # 2. Conquer
    array = []
    offset_a = 0
    offset_b = 0
    while offset_a < part_a.count && offset_b < part_b.count
        a = part_a[offset_a]
        b = part_b[offset_b]

        # Take the smallest of the two, and push it on our array
        if a <= b
            array << a
            offset_a += 1
        else
            array << b
            offset_b += 1
        end
    end

    # There is at least one element left in either part_a or part_b (not both)
    while offset_a < part_a.count
        array << part_a[offset_a]
        offset_a += 1
    end

    while offset_b < part_b.count
        array << part_b[offset_b]
        offset_b += 1
    end

    return array
end

# Search a sorted array in O(lg(n)) time
def binary_search(array, value, from=0, to=nil)
    if to == nil
        to = array.count - 1
    end

    mid = (from + to) / 2

    if value < array[mid]
        return binary_search array, value, from, mid - 1
    elsif value > array[mid]
        return binary_search array, value, mid + 1, to
    else
        return mid
    end
end

a = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15].shuffle
# Quicksort operates inplace (i.e. in "a" itself)
# There's no need to reassign
quicksort a
puts "quicksort"
puts a

b = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15].shuffle
# Mergesort operates in new array
# So we need to reassign
b = mergesort b
puts "mergesort"
puts b

offset_3 = binary_search a, 3
puts "3 is at offset #{offset_3} in a"

offset_15 = binary_search b, 15
puts "15 is at offset #{offset_15} in b"