Answer
See the explanation
Work Step by Step
In the merge algorithm, if one of the input files is empty at the start, the steps executed would be as follows:
1. **Check for Empty Input**: The algorithm starts by checking if one of the input files is empty.
2. **Read from Non-empty Input**: If one input file is empty, the algorithm will continue by reading from the non-empty input file.
3. **Copy Remaining Elements**: It will then copy all the remaining elements from the non-empty input file directly to the output without performing any comparisons.
4. **Merge Complete**: Once all elements from the non-empty input file are copied, the merge process is complete.
This approach ensures that all elements from the non-empty input file are included in the output without any further comparisons or merging.