JavaScript Array sort Method (Live Playground)

The JavaScript array sort method sorts the elements of an array in place and returns the sorted array.

Here's a basic example:

let fruits = ['banana', 'apple', 'cherry'];
fruits.sort();

console.log(fruits);
// Expected output: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']

In this example, fruits.sort(); sorts the array fruits in alphabetical order.

Live Playground, Try it Yourself

For sorting numbers, you need to pass a compare function:

let numbers = [40, 10, 100, 25, 15];
numbers.sort(function (a, b) {
  return a - b;
});

console.log(numbers);
// Expected output: [10, 15, 25, 40, 100]

In this case, numbers.sort(function(a, b) { return a - b; }); sorts the numbers in ascending order.

Live Playground, Try it Yourself

And here's how you can sort in descending order:

let numbers = [40, 10, 100, 25, 15];
numbers.sort(function (a, b) {
  return b - a;
});

console.log(numbers);
// Expected output: [100, 40, 25, 15, 10]

Live Playground, Try it Yourself

The sort method modifies the original array. Be aware of this when using it.

Understanding the sort method is vital as it enables you to order your data in a way that makes it easier to work with.