摘要 |
A sorting network is disclosed for sorting N records, N being greater than two, into a total order in accordance with the values of keys associated with each of the records. This sorting network includes as many two-input comparators as are required to compare, substantially at the same time, each of the keys of the records with each of the keys of the other records. Each comparator provides an indication as to the relative values of the two compared keys. A decoder network responds to these indications to determine therefrom the proper order of the records, and gates each of the input records onto an output line corresponding to the proper location of that record in the total order. In the disclosed embodiments, the records are comprised of binary data including plural bits. Embodiments are disclosed for sorting serially by bit and in parallel at least two bits at a time.
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