Fast and Simple Sorting Using Partial Information

We consider the problem of sorting a set of items having an unknown total order by doing binary comparisons of the items, given the outcomes of some pre-existing comparisons. We present a simple algorithm with a running time of O(m+n+log T), where n, m, and T are the number of items, the number of pre-existing comparisons, and the number of total orders consistent with the outcomes of the pre-existing comparisons, respectively. The algorithm does O(log T) comparisons. Our running time and comparison bounds are best possible up to constant factors, thus resolving a problem that has been studied intensely since 1976 (Fredman, Theoretical Computer Science). The best previous algorithm with a bound of O(log T) on the number of comparisons has a time bound of O(n2.5) and is significantly more complicated. Our algorithm combines three classic algorithms: topological sort, heapsort with the right kind of heap, and efficient insertion into a sorted list.