Sorting

Definition

Sorting is the process of arranging elements in a specific order, typically ascending or descending. In Python, lists can be sorted using built-in functions or custom sorting criteria.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 'sort()' method sorts a list in place and returns None.
2. The 'sorted()' function returns a new sorted list from the elements of any iterable.
3. Both 'sort()' and 'sorted()' accept a 'key' parameter for custom sorting, which can be a function that extracts a comparison key from each list element.
4. The default sort order is ascending, but you can reverse it by setting the 'reverse' parameter to True.
5. 'sort()' modifies the original list, while 'sorted()' does not affect the original data.

Review Questions

• What is the difference between 'sort()' and 'sorted()' in Python?
• How do you sort a list in descending order?
• Explain how the 'key' parameter works when sorting lists.

Related terms

List:

A collection data type in Python that is ordered and mutable, allowing duplicate members.

Reverse: A method to reverse the elements of a list in place.

Key Parameter: An argument used in sorting methods to specify a function of one argument that is used to extract a comparison key from each list element.