Sorting a 2D array by the [i][2] element

Question

Assume I have this 2D array:

array[0][] = {5,B,2}
array[1][] = {9,R,4}
array[2][] = {3,B,1}
array[3][] = {1,R,8}

How can I sort this array in such a way that this is the output:

array[0][] = {3,B,1}
array[1][] = {5,B,2}
array[2][] = {9,R,4}
array[3][] = {1,R,8}

Basically sorting them based on the [i][2] element.

This is how I declared the array:

String[][] splitnodes = new String[7][];

Is it even possible? If it is, how?

Thanks!

Not really, I don't know where to start it :/ @ControlAltDel — Mostafa Abdulrazic, Apr 12 '17 at 18:27
I am curious to know what type your array is? Could you please post the code that declared the `array` variable? — jrook, Apr 12 '17 at 18:37
If you actually try to compile and run the code you have posted, you will get a `Cannot resolve symbol B` error (among others). I suggest you start by declaring your array and other variables correctly. Sometimes it is better to just start typing code without worrying too much about an elegant solution or algorithm. — jrook, Apr 12 '17 at 19:30

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 12 '17 at 18:31

0

One approach would be to implement a "normal search" like insertion sort, where you only compare the second element, and then carry the rest of the elements

answered Apr 12 '17 at 18:31

David Huang

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nits.kk · Answer 2 · 2017-04-13T01:24:07.917

0

You can use any sorting tecnique and in the step involving the comparision you need to compare the 2nd element of each sub array. Using the utility method provided in the J0DK you may also use sortmethod defined in Arrays.java.

java.util.Arrays.sort(array, new 
    java.util.Comparator<String[]> () {
        public int compare(String[] a, String[] b) {
             return Integer.compare(Integer.parseInt( a[2]), Integer.parseInt(b[2]));
        }
});

edited Apr 13 '17 at 01:24

answered Apr 12 '17 at 18:41

nits.kk

5,204
4
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@Andy Thomas I edited my answer – nits.kk Apr 13 '17 at 01:25

Sorting a 2D array by the [i][2] element

2 Answers2