Implementing a multi-columned array sort

Question

I'm trying to sort data in an array that looks like this:

(String, int, String, double)

or

(David, 25, Da, 123.54)

I want the delineation for the array sort to be decided by the "integer" value. So, for example:

David, 25, Da, 123.54
Sean, 27, Pa, 514.21
Luke, 32, Ma, 221.54

These values are being read from a file, organized in a constructor,and sent back to the driver.

Here's what I have so far, I'm not sure of how much use it will be:

    public class NamesAges{
       public String[] display() throws IOException {  

    FileReader fileReader = new FileReader("elements.csv");  

    BufferedReader bufferedReader = new BufferedReader(fileReader);  
    List<String> lines = new ArrayList<String>();  
    String line = null;  

    while ((line = bufferedReader.readLine()) != null)  
    {  
        lines.add(line);  
        System.out.println(line);
    }  

    bufferedReader.close();  

    String[] sl = (String[]) lines.toArray(new String[0]);


    return sl;
    }  
}

Any tips?

"I want the delineation for the array sort to be decided by the "integer" value." O..K. Given there is exactly one column that has an integer value, how is this a 'multi-column' sort? — Andrew Thompson
– Andrew Thompson, Commented Dec 12, 2011 at 2:25

duffymo · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-12 01:26:02Z

4

I'd recommend encapsulating each row into an Object and writing a Comparator to sort them as needed. Java's an object-oriented language; stop thinking in terms of primitives and Strings.

edited Dec 12, 2011 at 1:26

answered Dec 12, 2011 at 1:18

duffymo

310k46 gold badges376 silver badges571 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

Jon Egeland Over a year ago

but Strings aren't primitives.

duffymo Over a year ago

They are the way you're using them.

Jon Egeland Over a year ago

True. Your wording is a bit confusing, though.

G. Bach · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-12 01:19:46Z

2

The easiest way would probably be to create a class that encapsulates the four values, make the class implement Comparable and define its compareTo() method via the integer.

answered Dec 12, 2011 at 1:19

G. Bach

3,9192 gold badges28 silver badges46 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Implementing a multi-columned array sort

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related