Sort may refer to any of the following:

  1. Sort is organizing data in a particular order allowing for information to be found easier. For example, names and contact information may be sorted in alphabetical order to allow the person looking for a name to see if it’s available.

Types of sorts

Over the history of the computer there have been many different algorithms developed to help sort data. Below is a listing of the different types of sorts.

  • Ascending order
  • Bitonic sort
  • Bogo sort
  • Bubble sort
  • Cocktail shaker sort
  • Descending order
  • Gnome sort
  • Heap sort
  • Insertion sort
  • Lexicographic sort
  • Merge sort
  • Quantum sort
  • Quicksort
  • Radix sort
  • Selection sort
  • Shell sort
  • Spaghetti sort
  • Tree sort

Visual representation of sorts

Below is a video that gives you a visual representation of many sorting algorithms and examples of how each is utilized.

  1. Sort is also a command in Linux, see our sort command information page for further information on this command.
  • Use our free online text tool to sort any text.
  • MS-DOS and Windows command line sort command information.
  1. In Microsoft Excel, Sort is a feature used to organize data. For example, arranging a list of names in either alphabetical or a collection of dates in numerical order.

Chronological, External sort, Internal sort, Organize, Random, Selection sort, Sequential, Software terms, Sorter, Sort field, Sort within a sort, Spreadsheet terms

  • How to sort a list in Microsoft Excel.
  • How to create a custom sort in Microsoft Excel.
  • Easily sort data in Microsoft Excel using the auto filter.