The Array.sort method is limited to sorting based on a single criterion

Question

The Array.sort method is limited to sorting based on a single criterion

I'm attempting to sort items first by their values and then alphabetically if they have the same value.

function order(a, b, total) {
    if (total == 0) {
        return a.localeCompare(b)
    } else {
        return total;
    }
}

var thingsArr = {"lamp":2, "books":2};

Object.keys(thingsArr).sort(function (a, b) {
    order(a, b, thingsArr[b] - thingsArr[a])
});

Why doesn't the else statement inside the function order handle alphabetical sorting of the resulting array when the if part handles sorting based on highest value? It only works correctly when used separately. What am I missing here?

javascript arrays sorting javascript-objects

Answer 1

Answer №1

Remember to always include a return statement within the sort function!

function organizeList(item1, item2, totalItems) {
    if (totalItems == 0) {
        return item1.localeCompare(item2);
    } else {
        return totalItems;
    }
}

var itemsArray = {"table":4, "pencils":6};

const sortedList = Object.keys(itemsArray).sort(function (item1, item2) {
    return organizeList(item1, item2, itemsArray[item2] - itemsArray[item1]);
});

console.log(sortedList);

Answer 2

Remember to always include a return statement within the sort function!

function organizeList(item1, item2, totalItems) {
    if (totalItems == 0) {
        return item1.localeCompare(item2);
    } else {
        return totalItems;
    }
}

var itemsArray = {"table":4, "pencils":6};

const sortedList = Object.keys(itemsArray).sort(function (item1, item2) {
    return organizeList(item1, item2, itemsArray[item2] - itemsArray[item1]);
});

console.log(sortedList);

Answer 3

Answer №2

If you are looking to organize a list of names in a more structured way, one approach could be to enhance the clarity by relocating the total calculation within your ordering function as shown below:

const items = {"lamp":2, "books":2}; 

function sortItems(a, b) {
    const total = items[b] - items[a];
    if (total === 0) {
        return a.localeCompare(b)
    }
    return total;
}

Object.keys(items).sort(sortItems);

However, if your intention is to utilize the list as keys for referencing your items, it might be beneficial to consider mapping them to an array of objects like { name: "lamp", qty: 2 } or tuples [ "lamp", 2 ] as illustrated below.

const items = {"cupboard": 0, "lamp": 2, "books": 2};

function mapValuesToObject([name, qty]) {
    return {
      name,
      qty,
    };
}

function sortItems(a, b) {
    const total = b.qty - a.qty;
    if (total === 0) {
        return a.name.localeCompare(b.name)
    }
    return total;
}

Object.entries(items).map(mapValuesToObject).sort(sortItems);

This will give you the following result:

[
  { name: 'books', qty: 2 },
  { name: 'lamp', qty: 2 },
  { name: 'cupboard', qty: 0 }
]

I hope this explanation proves to be useful. Keep up the good work!

Answer 4

If you are looking to organize a list of names in a more structured way, one approach could be to enhance the clarity by relocating the total calculation within your ordering function as shown below:

const items = {"lamp":2, "books":2}; 

function sortItems(a, b) {
    const total = items[b] - items[a];
    if (total === 0) {
        return a.localeCompare(b)
    }
    return total;
}

Object.keys(items).sort(sortItems);

However, if your intention is to utilize the list as keys for referencing your items, it might be beneficial to consider mapping them to an array of objects like { name: "lamp", qty: 2 } or tuples [ "lamp", 2 ] as illustrated below.

const items = {"cupboard": 0, "lamp": 2, "books": 2};

function mapValuesToObject([name, qty]) {
    return {
      name,
      qty,
    };
}

function sortItems(a, b) {
    const total = b.qty - a.qty;
    if (total === 0) {
        return a.name.localeCompare(b.name)
    }
    return total;
}

Object.entries(items).map(mapValuesToObject).sort(sortItems);

This will give you the following result:

[
  { name: 'books', qty: 2 },
  { name: 'lamp', qty: 2 },
  { name: 'cupboard', qty: 0 }
]

I hope this explanation proves to be useful. Keep up the good work!

Answer 5

Answer №3

When working with array sort functions, it is crucial to ensure that you are returning the correct value. The return value should be a negative, zero, or positive integer depending on the argument and order of the result.

To learn more about this topic, please visit the following URL: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/sort

Answer 6

When working with array sort functions, it is crucial to ensure that you are returning the correct value. The return value should be a negative, zero, or positive integer depending on the argument and order of the result.

To learn more about this topic, please visit the following URL: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/sort

The Array.sort method is limited to sorting based on a single criterion

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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