sorting Array of Objects

Question

I have an Array like the following, how would I sort it by the keys of the objects it contains?

var myArray = [
    item : {

    },
    anotherItem : {

    }
];

EDIT

myArray is an Object not an Array. Does that change anything?

This is not valid [Javascript Array](http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_array.asp) syntax. — Aiias, Mar 31 '13 at 01:39
possible duplicate of [How to sort an array of javascript objects?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/979256/how-to-sort-an-array-of-javascript-objects) or [Sorting objects in an array by a field value in JavaScript](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1129216/sorting-objects-in-an-array-by-a-field-value-in-javascript) — Nope, Mar 31 '13 at 01:43
`myArray is an Object not an Array - does that change anything?` I'm afraid it is neither and is simply invalid syntax. Trying to run your code as is [**in jsFiddle**](http://jsfiddle.net/HHcMD/) for example generates `Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token : ` You can see the error in the debugger's console log when running the fiddle. — Nope, Mar 31 '13 at 02:09

Aiias · Answer 1 · 2013-03-31T01:53:44.230

2

In Javascript, arrays can only be declared with numeric keys and objects can be declared with alphanumeric keys (attributes).

It may help to take a look at Javascript's array sort() method.

However, although there is not a way to declare an array with non-numeric keys, as icktoofay has pointed out, since arrays are a special type of object, it is possible to set non-numeric keys for arrays after they have been declared.

edited Mar 31 '13 at 01:53

answered Mar 31 '13 at 01:43

Aiias

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As an array is an object, it actually *can* have non-numeric keys, but there is no special syntax for them as there is in plain object literals and it is not treated specially by the array. – icktoofay Mar 31 '13 at 01:45
@icktoofay - Thanks for pointing out those details about arrays. – Aiias Mar 31 '13 at 01:51
Sorry guys, see my edit. – Nathan McCallum Mar 31 '13 at 02:05
@TheVasari - Take a look at some related questions: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5467129/sort-javascript-object-by-key , http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2947822/javascript-sort-objects , and http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1069666/sorting-javascript-object-by-property-value . – Aiias Mar 31 '13 at 02:08
@Aiias, thank you, that first link was exactly what I needed! – Nathan McCallum Mar 31 '13 at 02:17

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 31 '13 at 01:48

First of all, that syntax is invalid: there is no way to set a key in an array literal. Additionally, while it is possible, you probably do not want an array with non-numeric properties; arrays are designed to hold numeric properties.

Even if those were corrected, properties in an object have no defined iteration order:

The mechanics and order of enumerating the properties […] is not specified.

Sorting, by definition, affects the order; if there is no defined order in the first place, you cannot really change it.

sorting Array of Objects

2 Answers2