JavaScript array sort-function for both numeric and alphanumeric string

Question

I need to sort an array that looks like this:

var array = new Array();<br />
array[0]="201206031245 firstitem";<br />
array[1]="201206020800 seconditem";<br />
array[2]="201206040604 itemthree";<br />
array[3]="201206031345 lastitem";<br />

How would I sort this numerically and descending?

Thanks in advance!

BTW, when you get so many answers in couple minutes, it usually says, you didn't put a little effort solving it yourself. — gdoron
– gdoron, Commented Jun 4, 2012 at 23:50
Apologies for the simple question--I did put effort into this, and am relatively novice with arrays. Sounds stupid for a JavaScript developer but it's true. — zdebruine
– zdebruine, Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 2:55

Bergi · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-04 23:48:35Z

3

Just use array.sort(). It will sort alphabetical, but as long as your numbers have the same number of digits that's perfectly OK.

answered Jun 4, 2012 at 23:48

Bergi

671k162 gold badges1k silver badges1.5k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

nnnnnn · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-05 00:38:53Z

2

Although .sort() will by default do an alphanumeric sort, for your data it will work numerically because your array elements all start with numbers that follow a strict date/time format with the same number of digits. .sort() will sort ascending though. You could provide your own comparison function to sort descending, or you could just reverse the results:

array.sort().reverse()

For more information about how .sort() works, e.g., to provide your own comparison function, have a look at the documentation.

answered Jun 5, 2012 at 0:38

nnnnnn

150k30 gold badges210 silver badges247 bronze badges

1 Comment

zdebruine Over a year ago

Thanks very much for your answer! Looking in retrospect I realize I didn't need to be so intent on the numerical sort function. This works well! Apologies for the simple question, but I appreciate the answer--it's the solution to a lot of work!

Paul · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-04 23:48:52Z

1

All you need is to call sort on your Array:

array.sort();

answered Jun 4, 2012 at 23:48

Paul

142k28 gold badges285 silver badges272 bronze badges

Comments

Rob Hruska · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-14 16:11:38Z

0

var arr = array.sort(function(a,b){ return a.split(' ')[0] < b.split(' ')[0]})

edited Jul 14, 2012 at 16:11

Rob Hruska

121k32 gold badges170 silver badges193 bronze badges

answered Jun 5, 2012 at 2:21

wuqiang

1

1 Comment

nnnnnn Over a year ago

A sort comparison function needs to return a negative value, a positive value or zero, not a boolean value.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

JavaScript array sort-function for both numeric and alphanumeric string

4 Answers 4

Comments

1 Comment

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

Comments

1 Comment

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related