Java – Sorting a String Array in Alphabetical Order

Learn to arrange an array of strings alphabetically using Stream.sorted() and Arrays.sort() methods. Also, learn to reverse sort using Comparator.reverseOrder().

1. Stream.sorted() – Java 8

Java 8 stream APIs have introduced a lot of exciting features to write code in very precise ways which are more readable.

This example sorts the string array in a single line code using Stream. It uses the Stream.sorted() method which helps in sorting a stream of objects in their natural order or according to the provided Comparator.

For reverse sorting the array, use Comparator.reverseOrder().

// Unsorted string array
String[] strArray = { "Alex", "Charles", "Dean", "Amanda", "Brian" };

// Sorting the strings
strArray = Stream.of(strArray)
    .sorted()
    .toArray(String[]::new);

// Sorted array
System.out.println("Sorted : " + Arrays.toString(strArray));

// Reverse sorting example
strArray = Stream.of(strArray)
    .sorted(Comparator.reverseOrder())
    .toArray(String[]::new);

// Reverse Sorted array
System.out.println("Sorted : " + Arrays.toString(strArray));

Program output.

Sorted :         [Alex, Amanda, Brian, Charles, Dean]
Reverse Sorted : [Dean, Charles, Brian, Amanda, Alex]

2. Arrays.sort() – Java 7

Arrays.sort() provides similar functionality as Stream.sorted() if you are still in Java 7.

// Unsorted string array
String[] strArray = { "Alex", "Charles", "Dean", "Amanda", "Brian" };

// Sorting the strings
Arrays.sort(strArray);

// Sorted array
System.out.println("Sorted : " + Arrays.toString(strArray));

Arrays.sort(strArray, Comparator.reverseOrder());

// Reverse Sorted array
System.out.println("Sorted : " + Arrays.toString(strArray));

Program output.

Sorted :         [Alex, Amanda, Brian, Charles, Dean]
Reverse Sorted : [Dean, Charles, Brian, Amanda, Alex]

Drop me your questions related to comparing and sorting a string array in alphabetical order.

Happy Learning !!