Sort javascript object with array as value

Question

I have a Javascript Object in the format key:pair where the pair is an array containing 2 timestamp values. I would like to sort this object so that the elements with the lowest numbers (earliest times) are displayed first.

Here is an example of the object: {"21_2":[1409158800,1409160000],"20_1":[1409148000,1409149200],"56_1":[1409149800,1409151600]}

So in this case, I would want the final sorted object to read:

{"20_1":[1409148000,1409149200],"56_1":[1409149800,1409151600],"21_2":[1409158800,1409160000]}

Obviously the sort() function will come into play here for the arrays, but how do I access those values inside the object? Note the object key isn't actually an integer because of the underscore.

I have found this: Sort Complex Array of Arrays by value within but haven't been able to apply it to my situation. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can't sort JavaScript Objects. Only arrays can be sorted. — Cerbrus, Aug 27 '14 at 14:06
That aside, what are you trying to do? This question might help: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/890807/iterate-over-a-javascript-associative-array-in-sorted-order — Cerbrus, Aug 27 '14 at 14:07
possible duplicate of [Sorting JavaScript Object by property value](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1069666/sorting-javascript-object-by-property-value) — Fractaliste, Aug 27 '14 at 14:09
@Cerbrus we can't put that aside, the question goes to an end here **You can't sort JavaScript Objects**, *Until you change that to array* — Mritunjay, Aug 27 '14 at 14:09
What is the end goal of "sorting" this object? By saying "I want the final sorted object to read" you are basically saying you want to modify the `toString()` function. — Alex W, Aug 27 '14 at 14:16

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 27 '14 at 14:18

You could change the structure of your data like this:

var myArray = [{
        "id" : "21_2" // id or whatever these are
        "timeStamps" : [1409158800,1409160000]
    }, {
        "id" : "20_1"
        "timeStamps" : [1409148000,1409149200]
    }];

Then you could sort it by the regular array sort:

myArray.sort(function(a, b){
    // however you want to compare them:
    return a.timeStamps[0] - b.timeStamps[0]; 
});

Sort javascript object with array as value

1 Answers1