User Guide

ListSort 587
ListSort
Description
Sorts list elements according to a sort type and sort order.
Returns
A copy of a list, sorted.
Category
List functions
Function syntax
ListSort(list, sort_type [, sort_order] [, delimiters ])
History
ColdFusion MX: Changed the order in which sorted elements are returned: in a textnocase,
descending sort, this function might return elements in a different sort order than in earlier
releases. If
sort_type = "textnocase" and sort_order = "desc", ColdFusion MX processes
elements that differ only in case differently from earlier releases. ColdFusion MX outputs the
elements in the reverse of the ascending order. Earlier releases do not change order of elements
that differ only in case. Both operations are correct. The new operation ensures that an ascending
and descending sort output elements in exactly reverse order.
For example, in a
textnocase, desc sort of d,a,a,b,A, the following occurs:
• ColdFusion MX returns d,b,A,a,a
• Earlier ColdFusion releases return d,b,a,a,A
(In a textnocase, asc sort, all ColdFusion releases return a,a,A,b,d.)
Parameters
Parameter Description
list A list or a variable that contains one.
sort_type • numeric: sorts numbers
• text: sorts text alphabetically, taking case into account (also known as case sensitive).
All letters of one case precede the first letter of the other case:
- aabzABZ, if
sort_order = "asc" (ascending sort)
- ZBAzbaa, if
sort_order = "desc" (descending sort)
• textnocase: sorts text alphabetically, without regard to case (also known as case-
insensitive). A letter in varying cases precedes the next letter:
- aAaBbBzzZ, in an ascending sort; preserves original intra-letter order
- ZzzBbBaAa, in a descending sort; reverses original intra-letter order