Fast sort engine

Abstract

A method of sorting an array of data elements, the method includes assigning values associated with a monotonic function to the data elements, and sorting the array of data elements by sorting the monotonic function values using a radix sort.

1 . A method of sorting an array of data elements, the method comprising:
 assigning values associated with a monotonic function to the data elements; and   sorting the array of data elements by sorting said monotonic function values using a radix sort.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said monotonic function is a non-decreasing monotonic function. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said monotonic function is a non-increasing monotonic function. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising creating an array of said monotonic function values. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising creating an array of index values, each index value corresponding to a data element and to its assigned monotonic function value. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  comprising sorting the data elements by sorting said array of index values using radix sort. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising using radix sort buckets. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  comprising sorting the data elements into said radix sort buckets by sorting said assigned monotonic function values. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said assigned monotonic function values are arranged in an array. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said assigned monotonic function values are integers. 
     
     
         11 . A system for sorting an array of data elements comprising:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable in said processor and causing said processor to perform operations comprising:   assigning values associated with a monotonic function to the data elements; and   sorting the array of data elements by sorting said monotonic function values using a radix sort.   
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11  wherein said monotonic function is a non-decreasing monotonic function. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 11  wherein said monotonic function is a non-increasing monotonic function. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 11  further comprising said processor creating an array of said monotonic function values. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 11  further comprising said processor creating an array of index values, each index value corresponding to a data element and to its assigned monotonic function value. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  comprising said processor sorting the data elements by sorting said array of index values using radix sort. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 11  further comprising said processor using radix sort buckets. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 17  comprising said processor sorting the data elements into said radix sort buckets by sorting said assigned monotonic function values. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 17  wherein said assigned monotonic function values are arranged in an array. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable in a processor and causing the processor to perform operations comprising:
 assigning values associated with a monotonic function to an array of data elements; and   sorting said array of data elements by sorting said monotonic function values using a radix sort.