PHP natsort() Function
Example
Sort an array:
<?php
$temp_files = array("temp15.txt","temp10.txt",
"temp1.txt","temp22.txt","temp2.txt");
sort($temp_files);
echo "Standard sorting: ";
print_r($temp_files);
echo "<br>";
natsort($temp_files);
echo "Natural sorting: ";
print_r($temp_files);
?>
Definition and Usage
The natsort() function sorts the array using the 'natural sorting' algorithm. The keys retain their original key names.
In natural sorting algorithms, the number 2 is less than the number 10. In computer sorting algorithms, 10 is less than 2 because the first digit of '10' is less than 2.
Syntax
natsort(array)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| array | Required. Specifies the array to be sorted. |
The natsort() function sorts the elements of the given array using the natural order algorithm.
The natsort() function implements 'natural sorting', which is the sorting method for numbers from 1 to 9 and letters from a to z, with shorter ones taking precedence. The array indices are associated with the unit values.
If successful, the function returns TRUE, otherwise it returns FALSE.
Technical Details
| Return Value: | Returns TRUE on success, FALSE on failure. |
| PHP Version: | 4+ |
| Update Log: | Starting from PHP 5.2.10, when 0 is used to fill a numeric string (e.g., '00006'), 0 will be ignored. |
