Python Sort() method [duplicate]

Question

I am starting to learn Python.

Can someone explain why sort() returns None?

alist.sort()            ## correct
alist = blist.sort()    ## NO incorrect, sort() returns None

Why shouldn't

alist = blist.sort()

return the sorted list and give it back to alist? This does not make sense to me.

Thanks.

sorted('FMRT', key=lambda x: ord(x) % 16)

wim
– wim

2012-02-23 06:30:18 +00:00
Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 6:30 — wim
– wim, Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 6:30
Did you try reading the documentation?

Karl Knechtel
– Karl Knechtel

2012-02-23 06:46:44 +00:00
Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 6:46 — Karl Knechtel
– Karl Knechtel, Commented Feb 23, 2012 at 6:46

Amber · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-23 06:12:24Z

11

alist.sort() sorts alist in-place, modifying alist itself.

If you want a new list to assign somewhere, use blist = sorted(alist)

list.sort(): http://docs.python.org/library/stdtypes.html#mutable-sequence-types
sorted(): http://docs.python.org/library/functions.html#sorted

answered Feb 23, 2012 at 6:12

Amber

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Pablo · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-23 06:12:38Z

0

Use the following:

alist = sorted(blist)

answered Feb 23, 2012 at 6:12

Pablo

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NPatel · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-23 06:18:19Z

0

When you want to perform the sorting on same list then you have to use sort() method of list. But If you dont want to change the sequence of original list but you need a sorted copy of the original list then use sorted() inbuilt function.

answered Feb 23, 2012 at 6:18

NPatel

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