python sorting 2dim. array ?

[Peter Otten]

fredo66 at fulladsl.be wrote:

> hello,
> Can someone help me with this:
> I have a array like this
> 
>  list[rowindex][colomindex]
> 
> where rows are the records and colom the fields. If I use the .sort()
> method on 'list' the data is sorted on the items of the first colom.
> But I want to sort on the second colom as first (and as second
> sortfield the first colom).
> 
> What is the shortest code for this pls ?
> 
> (all fields are text value, first colom is name, second category)


>>> items = [(1,2), (2,2), (2,1)]
>>> items.sort(lambda x, y: cmp(x[1::-1], y[1::-1]))
>>> items
[(2, 1), (1, 2), (2, 2)]

If you want something more efficient, see

http://www.python.org/doc/faq/programming/#i-want-to-do-a-complicated-sort-can-you-do-a-schwartzian-transform-in-python

Peter