Sort an array by specific values

Question

Here is the scenario, I have a database and I need data that is different from four tables to display in a list. I was having trouble getting the queries to join in a way that would give the results that I needed in the right order and format so I did a bunch of queries and pushed the results to and array. So now I have this array and it works great so far.

To visualize this I have the data listed in table and I need to sort the table based on the heading.

What I need to do next is some how sort the array by a specific value.

For example I have the array that contains a value “type” I want to search the array for the specific “types” and then sort the array based on that. So if the “type” column contains items such as “file” , “link” or “quiz” it would sort alphabetically.

Is this possible? Or should I be thinking of this in a different way?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

begin by posting code! with sample data, such as your tables structures — Félix Adriyel Gagnon-Grenier
– Félix Adriyel Gagnon-Grenier, Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 20:27
SELECT column from table WHERE column='something' ORDER BY value - or even LIKE — Funk Forty Niner
– Funk Forty Niner, Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 20:27
Another option is in_array() and ksort(), sort(), rsort() etc. - pretty broad though. — Funk Forty Niner
– Funk Forty Niner, Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 20:38

Chris Barcroft · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-24 20:48:16Z

1

In most cases, you'll probably have better results by letting the database do the work, rather than post-processing it in PHP.

As the other folks are saying, some more specifics and code examples would allow us to provide better help, but based on what you've said:

To limit your query results to a specific type, you would add a WHERE clause:

SELECT [whatever columns] FROM table_name WHERE type = 'file'

If you want to select multiple types at the same time:

SELECT [whatever columns] FROM table_name WHERE type IN ('file', 'link', 'quiz')

If you want to order them alphabetically by type:

SELECT [whatever columns] FROM table_name WHERE type IN ('file', 'link', 'quiz') ORDER BY type ASC

answered Jul 24, 2014 at 20:48

Chris Barcroft

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