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Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

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    #1

    Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

    Does anyone understand the concept behind this (taken out of the Help file):
    Code:
    dim base_array[4] as C
dim parallel_array[4] as C
base_array[1] = "dog"
base_array[2] = "rat"
base_array[3] = "cat"
base_array[4] = "bat"
parallel_array[1] = "z"
parallel_array[2] = "a"
parallel_array[3] = "b"
parallel_array[4] = "d"
base_array.sort("", "parallel_array[value]")
? base_array
= [1] = "rat"
[2] = "cat"
[3] = "bat"
[4] = "dog"
    Not a whole lot of explanation in the Help file. It's like one of those IQ tests puzzlers. It took a cup of Joe to figured it out!
    Can you guess how it works?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

    parallel_array defines the "order" that each element in base_array has.

    base_array[1] = parallel_array[1] ==> "dog" = "z"
    base_array[2] = parallel_array[2] ==> "rat" = "a"
    base_array[3] = parallel_array[3] ==> "cat" = "b"
    base_array[4] = parallel_array[4] ==> "bat" = "d"

    The sort operation sorts parallel_array (default sort method is ascending): z,a,b,d ==> a,b,d,z

    Then it reorders base_array based on that result: dog,rat,cat,bat ==> rat,cat,bat,dog

    Maybe if I was trying to recreate an associative array like situation, this could be useful. Does Alpha's Xbasic have anything like associative arrays? I haven't done much digging there...
    ---
    Sarah
    Alpha Anywhere latest pre-release

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

      Nice try Sarah..but no. Try again.

      No associative arrays in alpha.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

        I like Sarah's explanation but I think she stopped short of a complete answer. After sorting the parallel_array, the elements in base_array[] are repopulated. i.e. the value in base_array[4] started off as "bat", but is now "dog". In a way its sort of like the difference between looking at an indexed view of a group of records as compared to physically sorting the records by moving the records themselves.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

          Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
          I like Sarah's explanation but I think she stopped short of a complete answer. After sorting the parallel_array, the elements in base_array[] are repopulated. i.e. the value in base_array[4] started off as "bat", but is now "dog". In a way its sort of like the difference between looking at an indexed view of a group of records as compared to physically sorting the records by moving the records themselves.
          Does "Then it reorders base_array based on that result" not indicate the same action? My bad for not being completely clear on that.
          Alpha Anywhere latest pre-release

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

            Hi, Sarah.

            I suppose that means we're in agreement !

            Now we'll both have to wait for enlightenment. <grin>

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

              Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
              Hi, Sarah.

              I suppose that means we're in agreement !

              Now we'll both have to wait for enlightenment. <grin>
              Apparently so. There are lots of reasons for wanting to sort an array based on a weighted index. Power in being explicit and what not.
              Alpha Anywhere latest pre-release

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                Gabe
                It appears to work like string dictionary. Except here the relationship is by element number.
                Sort the second array and the order that 1,2,3,4 ends up so does the first array.
                For the life of me I can't think of a use for that but, who knows?

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                  Not sure what do you mean by string dictionary? nor what is the collaterally to sorting?

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                    Gabe

                    Description
                    Xbasic supports the Collection data type. Collections are fine for relatively small sets of values. However, the StringDictionary object offers similar features, but is much faster than collections when used for very large lists. The StringDictionary object only supports character data.
                    I learned to use collections from Stan Mathews here http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ht=collections
                    I now use string dictionary instead of TABLE.EXTERNAL_RECORD_CONTENT_GET() if it will be required more than once.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                      Understood, but that has nothing to do with sorting arrays especially this type of sorting.
                      The string dictionary establishes association between pairs.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                        Originally posted by Ray in Capetown View Post
                        ... here the relationship is by element number.
                        Sort the second array, and the order that 1,2,3,4 ends up so does the first array.
                        For the life of me I can't think of a use for that but, who knows?
                        That sounds suspiciously like sorting in pairs.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                          Yes, but there is no association between these "pairs" at all. IOW, there is no association between dog and z or rat and a, while in string dictionary the association is fixed. That's a totally different animal.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                            Not that animal this animal - Dog Rat -related to Z A or B - is just a nonsensical illustration.
                            Ive thought of something tangible - the best I can do..

                            Lets say you have read all items code into one array, all item prices in another. I wouldn't know why but lets just say you did.
                            Then hypothetically you want to list all the items codes in order of price. you could use this command, sorting on the price array.
                            Whether you want to do that or not isn't the question, you asked initially 'what does it do'.
                            If you can think of a use for it I would be interested to learn - it may be a solution looking for a problem.
                            Hah. Unless you are just pulling my chain.
                            Ray

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Re: Sorting One Array Based on Values in another Array

                              I don't remember asking that question!
                              I know what it does and I figured out how alpha does the sorting. I was wondering, if anyone reading what it says in the help file could actually understand from what's said how alpha does the sorting. It's more like a riddle.
                              So far, only Sarah took a stab at it and, unfortunately, it is not the correct answer.

                              Comment

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