Sorting algorithms

[Daskill]

I've got to count the number of comparisons performed in a particular merge sort algorithm.

My question is, what counts as a comparison?

If I have a set of numbers say, [29, 11, 16, 12]

Does it count as a comparison when I split it up into [29, 11] and [16, 12] or is it just when I'm comparing [29] and [11] or [16] and [12] etc.?

[WingedPanther]

A split is not a comparison. A comparison is a use of the < or > operators.