Sort Method question

rgalehouse · February 10th, 2004, 04:23 PM

In JavaScript to sort a single demensional array named 'users' we use the sort method as follows --> users.sort();

Let's say we have a two dimensional array named 'users' with three fields defined as follows,

users[indx] = new Array();
users[indx][0] = name;
users[indx][1] = dept;
users[indx][2] = date;

The default sort for two demensional arrays seems to sort by the first field, ie name. Is it possible to sort by another field, ie dept or date. What is the syntax.

joefawcett · February 10th, 2004, 07:03 PM

When you call sort you can optionallly pass a function pointer with a custom sort routine. This function compares the two items and returns 1 if the first is greater than the second, -1 if the second is greater and 0 if equal. Although a bit long winded a general example for your case is below:

Code:

function compareOnField2(Item1, Item2)
{
  var item1 = Item1[1];
  var item2 = Item2[1];
  if (item1 > item2) return 1;
  if (item1 < item2) return -1;
  return 0;
}

Then call

Code:

users.sort(compareOnField2)

Make sure there are no quotes around the function name.

--

Joe