Sorting a multi-array by the inner value

Question

i have this array

[Computers] => Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 78
            [category_name] => Computers
            [sort_order] => 1
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 70
            [category_name] => Computers
            [sort_order] => 1
        )

)


[Scanners] => Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 65
            [category_name] => Scanners
            [sort_order] => 6
        )

)

[Printers] => Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 58
            [category_name] => Printers
            [sort_order] => 3
        )

)
[Screens] => Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [product_id] => 62
            [category_name] => Screens
            [sort_order] => 2
        )

)

I cant seem to find a way to sort the array based on the key sort_order. I tried all the examples from here but no luck. I need the arrays in this order

Computers
Screens
Printers
Scanners

possible duplicate of [PHP sort multidimensional array by value](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2699086/php-sort-multidimensional-array-by-value) — hakre, Jun 22 '11 at 18:34
If you look at my question I clearly state that I have tried all these solutions with no luck because there are internal arrays in my question — Matt Elhotiby, Jun 22 '11 at 18:36
So your actual problem is how to adopt the answers from the other question for your data? — hakre, Jun 22 '11 at 18:37

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 22 '11 at 18:41

1

try this out

function aasort (&$array, $key) {
    $sorter=array();
    $ret=array();
    reset($array);

    foreach ($array as $ii => $va) {
            foreach ($array[$ii] as $i => $val) {
                $sorter[$ii]=$val[$key];
            }
    }
    asort($sorter);
    foreach ($sorter as $element => $value) {
        $ret[$element]=$array[$element];
    }
    $array=$ret;
}

 aasort($array,"sort_order");

answered Jun 22 '11 at 18:41

Matt Elhotiby

43,028
85
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@Tamer What sorting algorithm is that? – Steve Nguyen Jun 22 '11 at 18:47
It is at least not nearly as efficient as using a correct data structure and a built in function like usort :( – hoppa Jun 22 '11 at 18:51
3

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2699086/php-sort-multidimensional-array-by-value/2699110#2699110 – Damien Pirsy Jun 22 '11 at 19:01
2

"Attribution" means that if you copy a solution from another answer, please point out where you copied it from. – Pekka Sep 30 '11 at 21:40

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 22 '11 at 18:44

You simply have the sort parameter at the wrong level. You want to sort the highest level right? So put the sorting parameter there as well. The following data structure would make much more sense:

[Computers] => Array
(
    [sort_order] => 1,
    [data] => array(
        [0] => Array
            (
                [product_id] => 78,
                [category_name] => Computers,
                [sort_order] => 1,
            )
    )
)

If you nest the sort order as deep in the data structure as you have it will make for horrible sorting algorithms.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 22 '11 at 18:58

0

This should be sufficient:

uasort($yourArray,
       create_function('$a,$b','return $a[0]["sort_order"] > $b[0]["sort_order"];'));

answered Jun 22 '11 at 18:58

Dr.Molle

116,463
16
195
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Sorting a multi-array by the inner value

3 Answers3