Stable sorting algorithms???

[Air]

Does anyone know the exact definition of a stable sorting algorithm, and is Heap Sort a stable sorting algorithm??
any help is much appreciated.

[Grizzly]

A "Stable" sorting algorithm leaves the order of equal elements unchanged. A heapsort is not a stable sorting algorithm.

Let me guess, homework? :p

[Air]

Thank you... that is good cuz I thought it was stable and my heap sort was not sorting it "stabely" (dunno how to spell that).
yup its HW, we are counting the words and their corresponding frequencies in like King James's Bible er some large text file.