JavaScript Array Sorting Methods

Sorting is the process of arranging array elements in a specific order. JavaScript provides built-in methods to sort arrays alphabetically or numerically. You can also reverse the order or create your own custom sorting logic.

Sorting is useful when displaying products by price, arranging names alphabetically, or ordering marks from highest to lowest.

sort()

The sort() method sorts the elements of an array.

By default, it sorts values as strings in ascending order.

Syntax

arrayName.sort();

Example

let fruits = ["Mango", "Apple", "Orange", "Banana"];
fruits.sort();
console.log(fruits);

Output

[“Apple”, “Banana”, “Mango”, “Orange”]

Sorting Numbers

When sorting numbers, use a compare function. Otherwise, numbers are sorted as strings.

Incorrect Example

let numbers = [100, 25, 8, 50];
numbers.sort();
console.log(numbers);

Output

[100, 25, 50, 8]

Correct Example

let numbers = [100, 25, 8, 50];
numbers.sort(function(a, b) {
    return a - b;
});
console.log(numbers);

Output

[8, 25, 50, 100]

reverse()

The reverse() method reverses the order of the array.

Syntax

arrayName.reverse();

Example

let fruits = ["Apple", "Banana", "Mango"];
fruits.reverse();
console.log(fruits);

Output

[“Mango”, “Banana”, “Apple”]

toSorted()

The toSorted() method returns a new sorted array without changing the original array.

Syntax

arrayName.toSorted();

Example

let fruits = ["Mango", "Apple", "Orange"];
let sorted = fruits.toSorted();
console.log(sorted);
console.log(fruits);

Output

[“Apple”, “Mango”, “Orange”]

[“Mango”, “Apple”, “Orange”]

toReversed()

The toReversed() method returns a new reversed array without modifying the original array.

Example

let numbers = [10, 20, 30];
let result = numbers.toReversed();
console.log(result);
console.log(numbers);

Output

[30, 20, 10]

[10, 20, 30]

Comparison of Methods