Sorting 2D PHP array naturally

Question

Okay, I'm officially going nuts. I have tried all solutions found online, however none is working.

I have this array:

$hits = array(
    array('sortby' => 'String 1', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 1</div>',
    array('sortby' => 'String 11', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 11</div>',
    array('sortby' => 'String 2', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 2</div>',
);

I want to sort the $hits array naturally by the "sortby" key, so the output becomes like this:

 <div>This element contains String 1</div>
 <div>This element contains String 2</div>
 <div>This element contains String 11</div>

Which sort function could I use?

You probably have to write your own function.

Daan
– Daan

2015-04-09 09:27:19 +00:00
Commented Apr 9, 2015 at 9:27 — Daan
– Daan, Commented Apr 9, 2015 at 9:27

zessx · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-09 09:36:32Z

Simply use usort(), with a strnatcmp() comparison.

$hits = array(
    array('sortby' => 'String 1', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 1</div>'),
    array('sortby' => 'String 11', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 11</div>'),
    array('sortby' => 'String 2', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 2</div>')
);

usort($hits, function($a, $b) {
    return strnatcmp($a['sortby'], $b['sortby']);
});

var_dump($hits);

/*
array(3) {
  [0]=>
  array(2) {
    ["sortby"]=>
    string(8) "String 1"
    ["html"]=>
    string(41) "<div>This element contains String 1</div>"
  }
  [1]=>
  array(2) {
    ["sortby"]=>
    string(8) "String 2"
    ["html"]=>
    string(41) "<div>This element contains String 2</div>"
  }
  [2]=>
  array(2) {
    ["sortby"]=>
    string(9) "String 11"
    ["html"]=>
    string(42) "<div>This element contains String 11</div>"
  }
}
*/

Peter · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-09 09:36:50Z

1

usort($hits, function($a, $b){
    return strnatcmp($a['sortby'], $b['sortby']);
});

Docs: http://php.net/manual/en/function.usort.php
Demo: http://codepad.viper-7.com/qqNpRl

edited Apr 9, 2015 at 9:36

answered Apr 9, 2015 at 9:32

Peter

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3 Comments

jenschude Over a year ago

as he wanted it naturally sorted: function ($a, $b) { return strnatcmp($a['sortby'], $b['sortby']); }

zessx Over a year ago

It's definitely not naturally sorted: 11, 2, 473, 5 instead of 2, 5, 11, 473

Peter Over a year ago

@JensSchulze I missed "naturally" part thanks for fix

taeguk · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-09 09:49:40Z

0

Try below :

<?php
$hits = array(
    array('sortby' => 'String 1', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 1</div>'),
    array('sortby' => 'String 11', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 11</div>'),
    array('sortby' => 'String 2', 'html' => '<div>This element contains String 2</div>')
);

function comp($a, $b) {
    $n1 = intval(substr($a['sortby'], 7));
    $n2 = intval(substr($b['sortby'], 7));
    return $n1>$n2;
}

usort($hits, "comp");

print_r($hits);

?>

Using usort(), you can apply your sort rule.

answered Apr 9, 2015 at 9:49

taeguk

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