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Reference.org
Polyphase merge sort
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<p>A polyphase merge sort is a variation of a bottom-up <a href="/facts/Merge_sort/A5jLYfzS">merge sort</a> that sorts a list using an initial uneven distribution of sub-lists (runs), primarily used for <a href="/facts/External_sorting/WaCt6XFC">external sorting</a>, and is more efficient than an ordinary merge sort when there are fewer than eight external working files (such as a tape drive or a file on a hard drive). A polyphase merge sort is not a <a href="/facts/Sorting_algorithm/PwHpj1Gs">stable sort</a>. </p>