Merge Two Linked List

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7 comments, last by iMalc 19 years, 4 months ago
Sorry i am opening this topic but i have problem with this exercise. It is not homework but it is a sample question for midterm. I couldn't solve it. If you believe me (because i konw your behaviours for people who want homework assignments) , please help. Tomorrow i have a midterm :( /// Write a function to merge two linked lists of integers that are sorted into ascending order. The result should be a third linked list that is the sorted combination of the original lists. Do not destroy the original lists. ///
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Node* a = l1.begin();
Node* b = l2.begin();

while (...){if(*a<*b){  c.add(*a);  a = a->next();}else{  c.add(*b);  b = b->next();}}


And then take care of if either a or b reaches the end of its list.
but how can i write it in c++ ?
std::list merged = std::list(list1).merge(std::list(list2));

std::list<int> merged(list1);
std::list<int> merged2(list2);
merged.merge(merged2);

Enigma

EDIT: Oops, should have checked that what I posted would actually compile!

[Edited by - Enigma on December 13, 2004 5:00:04 PM]
That IS in C++. I mean it's pseudocode but it's basically C++. The only thing that's left for you to fill in is the condition on the while loop and some checks.
l1 is list 1l2 is list 2let append_and_sort l1 l2 =  let l = List.append l1 l2 in  List.sort (compare) l


Hints:

a) Specify programming language if you want specific answers (don't expect this for homework though).
b) Show your working, although you say this isn't homework, you've given no real evidence to the contrary. Without giving us what *you've* done working towards the problem the rules say we musn't help you.

EDIT: this was written before the three replies ;)
More information is needed before a really good answer can be given. Are the two lists already sorted? If so, go with yaroslavd's answer. Otherwise, just add the lists together then go ahead and sort that list.

I have no experience in sorting linked lists, but I would probably just put all the addresses in an array of int *, (removing each node from the list), perform a merge sort on the _values_ at the addresses, then recreate the list. Probably the simplest method. If you are pressed for time, I am sure a simple insertion sort could be done. No need to over complicate things.

Good luck!
-visage
Check out this page.
An implementation of Merge Sort should not involve any array of pointers. Doing so would make it far more complicated and inferrior performance-wise. You merely divide the list into two and recurse on each half unless a list only has 1 item. Then after the recursive calls you merge the lists together.

Quote:Original post by nmi
Check out this page.

Whilst the link nmi posted is okay, bear in mind that their documented extension to bitonic sort for arbitrary n that they use does not actually work in many cases, should you consider that algorithm. Their workaround for 'n not a power of two' is flawed and I can reproduce the same flaw in their applet also, producing an incorrect sort result. I tried contacting the author about this but got no response. The same workaround does actually work in breadth-first mergesort though.

yaroslavd has got the right idea, but you also need to be careful which way the lists are sorted - Increasing or decreasing order.

I assume that these are not doubly-linked lists that they are talking about?
"In order to understand recursion, you must first understand recursion."
My website dedicated to sorting algorithms

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