I need to sort an array based on Alphabets. I have tried sort() method of javascript, but it doesn't work since my array consists of numbers, lowercase letters and uppercase letters. Can anybody please help me out with this? Thanks

For e.g my array is:

[
    "@Basil",
    "@SuperAdmin",
    "@Supreme",
    "@Test10",
    "@Test3",
    "@Test4",
    "@Test5",
    "@Test6",
    "@Test7",
    "@Test8",
    "@Test9",
    "@a",
    "@aadfg",
    "@abc",
    "@abc1",
    "@abc2",
    "@abc5",
    "@abcd",
    "@abin",
    "@akrant",
    "@ankur",
    "@arsdarsd",
    "@asdd",
    "@ashaa",
    "@aviral",
    "@ayush.kansal",
    "@chris",
    "@dgji",
    "@dheeraj",
    "@dsfdsf",
    "@dualworld",
    "@errry",
    "@george",
    "@ggh",
    "@gjhggjghj"
]

I need to sort an array based on Alphabets. I have tried sort() method of javascript, but it doesn't work since my array consists of numbers, lowercase letters and uppercase letters. Can anybody please help me out with this? Thanks

For e.g my array is:

[
    "@Basil",
    "@SuperAdmin",
    "@Supreme",
    "@Test10",
    "@Test3",
    "@Test4",
    "@Test5",
    "@Test6",
    "@Test7",
    "@Test8",
    "@Test9",
    "@a",
    "@aadfg",
    "@abc",
    "@abc1",
    "@abc2",
    "@abc5",
    "@abcd",
    "@abin",
    "@akrant",
    "@ankur",
    "@arsdarsd",
    "@asdd",
    "@ashaa",
    "@aviral",
    "@ayush.kansal",
    "@chris",
    "@dgji",
    "@dheeraj",
    "@dsfdsf",
    "@dualworld",
    "@errry",
    "@george",
    "@ggh",
    "@gjhggjghj"
]

• javascript

• What "Alphabets" would you like it to be sorted after if that doesn't contain letters and numbers? What is wrong with the default Alphabet, what result do you expect? – Bergi Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 9:14
• Array seems sorted to me... – mishik Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 9:15
• 4 What exactly is your desired output? – Christoph Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 9:16
• @Christoph case insensitive I would imagine – NimChimpsky Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 9:19
• @Bergi: "@" is consistent in the array that I get from the backend,the next letter to it must start with an 'a' or'A'. Say in my example,the first result should be any instances of '@a' then '@aadc' '@abc1' '@abc2' '@chris' and so on – Sumodh Nair Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 9:19

3 Answers 3

a.sort(function(a, b) {
    var textA = a.toUpperCase();
    var textB = b.toUpperCase();
    return (textA < textB) ? -1 : (textA > textB) ? 1 : 0;
});

This should work (jsFiddle)

function alphabetical(a, b){
     var c = a.toLowerCase();
     var d = b.toLowerCase();
     if (c < d){
        return -1;
     }else if (c > d){
       return  1;
     }else{
       return 0;
     }
}


yourArray.sort(alphabetical);

To sort an array by a key function applied to an element (toUpperCase here), Schwartzian transform, aka "decorate-sort-undecorate" is your technique of choice:

cmp = function(x, y) { return x > y ? 1 : x < y ? -1 : 0 }

sorted = array.map(function(x) {
    return [x.toUpperCase(), x]
}).sort(function(x, y) {
    return cmp(x[0], y[0])
}).map(function(x) {
    return x[1]
})

The major advantage of this approach is that the key function is called exactly once for each element, which can matter when the key is heavy or has side effects.

I realize that you're looking for a simple answer right now, but this might be something for you to consider learning in the future.