Merge sort is a sorting algorithm that works by dividing an array into two halves, recursively sorting the halves, and then merging the sorted halves into a single sorted array. The document provides details on how merge sort works, including pseudocode for the main, merge sort, and merging functions. It analyzes the time complexity of merge sort as O(n log n), making it more efficient than other basic sorts with O(n^2) time complexity like bubble, selection, and insertion sort.
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