SORT

The SORT function sorts all elements of a dynamic array in ascending left-justified order.

 

COMMAND SYNTAX

SORT(expression)

 

SYNTAX ELEMENTS

expression may evaluate to any data type but will only be useful if it evaluates to a dynamic array.

 

NOTES

The dynamic array can contain any number and combination of system delimiters.

The SORT() function will return an attribute delimited array of the sorted elements. Note that all system delimiters in expression will be converted to an attribute mark '0xFE' in the sorted result. For example, the following code

    MyArray = 'GEORGE':@VM:'FRED':@AM:'JOHN':@SVM:'ANDY'
    CRT SORT(MyArray)

will return

    ANDY^FRED^GEORGE^JOHN

where '^' is an attribute mark, '0xFE'. MyArray remains unchanged.

The SORT is achieved by the quick sort algorithm, which sorts in situ and is very fast.

 

INTERNATIONAL MODE

When using the SORT function in International Mode, the function will use the currently configured locale to determine the rules by which each string is considered less than or greater than the other for sort purposes.

 

EXAMPLE

* Read a list, sort it and write it back
*
READ List FROM "Unsorted" ELSE List = "
List = SORT(List)
WRITE List ON "Sorted"

jBC