sorting multidimensional arrays

Programming Questions

ikillbombs

sorting multidimensional arrays

in Programming Questions • 3 years ago

hi everybody,

i have a array that looks like this:

myArray[0][0] D
myArray[0][1] 1
myArray[0][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[0][3] desean jackson
myArray[1][0] F
myArray[1][1] 2
myArray[1][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[1][3] fox 5
myArray[2][0] A
myArray[2][1] 3
myArray[2][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[2][3] ap top 25
myArray[3][0] A
myArray[3][1] 4
myArray[3][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[3][3] ap poll college football 2010
myArray[4][0] N
myArray[4][1] 5
myArray[4][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[4][3] nfl fantasy
myArray[5][0] N
myArray[5][1] 6
myArray[5][2] 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z
myArray[5][3] nike women s marathon

Every array position is data of the third array position, so "nike women s marathon"' first letter is D, it has the sixth ranking, added on 2010-10-17T19:55:54Z.
I want to resort the array on every part of the array, so if i sort on myArray[x][0], it shows all the other entries of myArray[0][0] with the same letter. The same with all the other arrays. Can someone please help me with this? my head is hurting right now :)

Replies(1)

PhiLho

Re: sorting multidimensional arrays

3 years ago

Classical problem...
Problem: arrays are unsuited to store heterogeneous data like this, even more when you need to sort one part and have the related parts to follow...
Classical answer: define and use a class to hold the various parts, with the bonus it allows you to name them explicitly and to keep their native format (integer, date, etc.).
So you get an array of objects of this class, and you fall on the problem of sorting this array, which have been covered several times on this forum (or the old one). Hint: search Comparable and Comparator.