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PHP 5 Sorting Arrays


The elements in an array can be sorted in alphabetical or numerical order, descending or ascending.


PHP - Sort Functions For Arrays

In this chapter, we will go through the following PHP array sort functions:

  • sort() - sort arrays in ascending order
  • rsort() - sort arrays in descending order
  • asort() - sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the value
  • ksort() - sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the key
  • arsort() - sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the value
  • krsort() - sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the key

Sort Array in Ascending Order - sort()

The following example sorts the elements of the $cars array in ascending alphabetical order:

Example

<?php
$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
sort($cars);
?>
Run example »

The following example sorts the elements of the $numbers array in ascending numerical order:

Example

<?php
$numbers = array(4, 6, 2, 22, 11);
sort($numbers);
?>
Run example »


Sort Array in Descending Order - rsort()

The following example sorts the elements of the $cars array in descending alphabetical order:

Example

<?php
$cars = array("Volvo", "BMW", "Toyota");
rsort($cars);
?>
Run example »

The following example sorts the elements of the $numbers array in descending numerical order:

Example

<?php
$numbers = array(4, 6, 2, 22, 11);
rsort($numbers);
?>
Run example »

Sort Array (Ascending Order), According to Value - asort()

The following example sorts an associative array in ascending order, according to the value:

Example

<?php
$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
asort($age);
?>
Run example »

Sort Array (Ascending Order), According to Key - ksort()

The following example sorts an associative array in ascending order, according to the key:

Example

<?php
$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
ksort($age);
?>
Run example »

Sort Array (Descending Order), According to Value - arsort()

The following example sorts an associative array in descending order, according to the value:

Example

<?php
$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
arsort($age);
?>
Run example »

Sort Array (Descending Order), According to Key - krsort()

The following example sorts an associative array in descending order, according to the key:

Example

<?php
$age = array("Peter"=>"35", "Ben"=>"37", "Joe"=>"43");
krsort($age);
?>
Run example »

Complete PHP Array Reference

For a complete reference of all array functions, go to our complete PHP Array Reference.

The reference contains a brief description, and examples of use, for each function!


Test Yourself With Exercises

Exercise:

Use the correct array method to sort the $colors array alphabetically.

$colors = array("red", "green", "blue", "yellow"); 
;