How to sort a list in C#
Sorting a list in C# can be done using the Sort() class List< T > method.
Sorting a list in an ascending order
We can sort the list in ascending order by simply calling the Sort() method. By default, the Sort() method sorts the list in ascending order.
Example
Let’s sort lists of integers in ascending order:
using System;using System.Collections.Generic;class Sorting{static void Main(string[] args){List<int> numbers = new List<int>{ 4, 2, 1, 5, 3 };numbers.Sort(); // Sort the list in an ascending orderConsole.WriteLine("Sorted numbers:");for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Count; i++){int number = numbers[i];Console.WriteLine(number);}}}
After calling the Sort() method, the numbers list will be sorted in ascending order.
Explanation
-
Line 8: Create a new integer type list and initialize it with five values.
-
Line 9: Sort the elements of the
numberslist in ascending order. -
Line 11: Print the string
"Sorted numbers:"on the console. -
Line 12: This line of code initializes a loop that will iterate through all the elements of the
numberslist, from the first to the last. -
Line 14: Retrieves the ith element of the
numberslist and assigns its value to thenumbervariable. -
Line 15: Print the value of
numberon the console.
Sorting a list in a descending order
To sort a list in descending order, first, we have to convert the list in ascending order and then, by calling the Reverse() method, sort the list in descending order.
Example
Let’s sort lists of integers in a descending order:
using System;using System.Collections.Generic;class Sorting{static void Main(string[] args){List<int> numbers = new List<int>{ 4, 2, 1, 5, 3 };numbers.Sort(); // Sort the list in ascending ordernumbers.Reverse(); // Reverse the order of the elementsConsole.WriteLine("Sorted numbers:");for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Count; i++){int number = numbers[i];Console.WriteLine(number);}}}
After calling the Reverse() method, the numbers list will be sorted in descending order.
Explanation
-
Line 8: Create a new integer type list and initialize it with five integer values.
-
Line 9: Sort the elements of the
numberslist in ascending order. -
Line 10: Reverse the order of elements in the
numberslist. -
Line 11: Prints the string “Sorted numbers:” on the console.
-
Line 12: This line of code initializes a loop that will iterate through all the elements of the
numberslist, from the first to the last. -
Line 14: Retrieves the ith element of the
numberslist and assigns its value to thenumbervariable. -
Line 15: Print the value of
numberon the console.
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