sorting an array

[lilgirl]

Hi,

I have an array that contains strings like this:

"Connection_1.xml"

"Connection_10.xml"

"Connection_2.xml"

"Connection_3.xml"

 

I would like to sort the array so that "Connection_10.xml" is last rather than 2nd in the list. Can anyone suggest a way to do this?

 

Thanks.

[georgepatotk]

There are many ways you can do it.

Sequential sort, bubble sort, and so others.

 

hava a look on this

http://www-ee.eng.hawaii.edu/Courses/EE150/Book/chap10/subsection2.1.2.2.html

[mutant]

Use the shared method of the Array class to sort your array.

[Jaco]

Use the shared method of the Array class to sort your array.

 

If you try this, you'll see that you have exactly the original problem. i.e., the result is:

"Connection_1.xml"

"Connection_10.xml"

"Connection_2.xml"

"Connection_3.xml"

 

You need to either write your own sort or implement a comparer class and pass this to the System.Array Sort method.

[mutant]

True, I should have looked closely at the data.

Here is how you can implement your own IComparer like Jaco mentioned:

Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions

   Public Class StringComparer
       Implements IComparer 'implement the comparer so the Sort method will take it
   
       Public Function Compare(ByVal x As Object, ByVal y As Object) As Integer Implements System.Collections.IComparer.Compare
  'get the first number from the x object that was passed using regular expressions so it very easy 
 'to find numbers that are more then 1 digit long
           Dim num1 As Integer = Convert.ToInt32(Regex.Match(x.ToString(), "[0-9]+").Value)
           'get the first number for the y object
           Dim num2 As Integer = Convert.ToInt32(Regex.Match(y.ToString(), "[0-9]+").Value)
           'if the number from x is bigger then return 1 (or any positive number)
           If num1 > num2 Then
               Return 1
           'if they are equal return 0
           ElseIf num1 = num2 Then
               Return 0
           'if x is less then y return -1 (or any negative number)
           Else
               Return -1
           End If
       End Function
   
   End Class
   

 

Then you can pass in the comparer to the Sort method:

   Array.Sort(yourarray, new StringComparer)
   

Edited March 20, 2004 by mutant