Sorting a python array

Question

opt=[]
opt=["opt3","opt2","opt7","opt6","opt1"]
for i in range(len(opt)):
     print opt[i]

Output for the above is

opt3,opt2,opt7,opt6,opt1

How to sort the above array in ascending order..

for i in range(len(opt)) is unPythonic. Use for elt in opt instead. — Katriel
– Katriel, Commented Aug 12, 2010 at 17:43

NullUserException · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-12 17:40:23Z

8

Use .sort() if you want to sort the original list. (opt.sort())

Use sorted() if you want a sorted copy of it.

answered Aug 12, 2010 at 17:40

NullUserException

85.8k31 gold badges212 silver badges239 bronze badges

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

Comments

Jason Webb · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-12 17:39:21Z

2

print sorted(opt)

answered Aug 12, 2010 at 17:39

Jason Webb

8,0209 gold badges44 silver badges49 bronze badges

Bruce van der Kooij · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-12 22:43:21Z

0

Depends on whether or not you want a natural sort (which I think you do) or not.

If you use sorted() or .sort() you'll get:

>>> opt = ["opt3", "opt2", "opt7", "opt6", "opt1", "opt10", "opt11"]
>>> print sorted(opt)
['opt1', 'opt10', 'opt11', 'opt2', 'opt3', 'opt6', 'opt7']

While you'll probably want ['opt1', 'opt2', 'opt3', 'opt6', 'opt7', 'opt10', 'opt11'].

If so you'll want to look into natural sorting (there are various variations on the function mentioned in that article).

answered Aug 12, 2010 at 20:05

2,2121 gold badge19 silver badges30 bronze badges