Does anyone know how the built-in JS function array.sort() functions internally? I mean does it change strings to numbers....etc

var keys = new Array();
keys.sort();

Does anyone know how the built-in JS function array.sort() functions internally? I mean does it change strings to numbers....etc

var keys = new Array();
keys.sort();

• javascript

• 2 btw, new Array is evil, use [] literal syntax instead. – hugomg Commented Nov 8, 2011 at 20:24
• 6 The algorithm is specified here. Apart from that I'm not sure what else you want to know. – Felix Kling Commented Nov 8, 2011 at 20:25
• To answer the question: No, .sort will not change any element values, unless you specify a function which modifies the input. eg: keys.sort(function(x,y){x.moo=1337; y.cowsay="bar";}) – Rob W Commented Nov 8, 2011 at 20:30

1 Answer 1

From the MDN docs for sort():

If pareFunction is not supplied, elements are sorted by converting them to strings and paring strings in lexicographic ("dictionary" or "telephone book," not numerical) order. For example, "80" es before "9" in lexicographic order, but in a numeric sort 9 es before 80.

Refer to the answers of this question as to what algorithm is being used.