NIST

bitonic sort

(algorithm)

Definition: Compare, and swap if necessary, pairs of elements in parallel. Subsets are sorted then merged.

Also known as Batcher sort.

Generalization (I am a kind of ...)
oblivious algorithm.

Note: This takes O((log n)2/2) stages (or steps) with n/2 comparators at each stage.

This sorts increasingly larger intermingled subsets, somewhat like Shell sort, and merges subsets, like merge sort.

Elements are compared and swapped in a fixed (oblivious) schedule, so this may be implemented with only conditional swaps. Here is a Batcher sort for four elements: 

     compareAndSwap(0, 1);
     compareAndSwap(2, 3);
     compareAndSwap(0, 2);
     compareAndSwap(1, 3);
     compareAndSwap(1, 2);
where compareAndSwap(i,j) is if (a[i] < a[j]) Swap(a[i], a[j]). Notice that the first pair of operations, (0, 1) and (2, 3), can be performed in parallel, as can the second pair (0, 2) and (1, 3).

Knuth calls this Algorithm 5.2.2M [Knuth98, 3:111].

Author: PEB

Implementation

Prof. Dr. Hans Wener Lang's explanation, proof of correctness, analysis, bibliography, etc. (Java). (Python).

More information

K. E. Batcher, Sorting Networks and their Applications, Proc. AFIPS Spring Joint Computer Conference, 32:307-314, 1968.

Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.

Entry modified 21 April 2022.
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Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "bitonic sort", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed. 21 April 2022. (accessed TODAY) Available from: https://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/bitonicSort.html