[SOLVED] Arranging numbers???

[shamuraq]

Anyone knows the propoer syntax to arranging numbers either in descending or ascending order? Thanx in advance...

[trq]

Where are the numbers coming from?

[shamuraq]

its randomised set of 4 numbers; eg (2799, 2997, 2979, 2797).

I need php to arrange these numbers either in ascending or descending...

[trq]

Are the numbers in an array or something? Take a look at sort.

 

I fail to see what this question has to do with math.

[shamuraq]

The numbers are not in array....

each randomised number is a var on its own...

 

$a = rand(1,999);
$b = rand(1,999);
$c = rand(1,999);
$d = rand(1,999);

 

Now i just need to arrange them in either ascending or descending order...

[Mark Baker]

The numbers are not in array....

each randomised number is a var on its own...

In which case, why aren't you using an array?

 

for ($i = 1; $i <= 4; $i++) {
   $a[] = rand(1,999);
}

Then you can use

sort($a);

 

As it is, you'll need to do

$x = array($a,$b,$c,$d);
sort ($x);
list ($a,$b,$c,$d) = $x;

 

[Ken2k7]

I never like sort being a permutable function.

[Mark Baker]

I never like sort being a permutable function.

I'll agree it would be much nicer being able to say

$sortedArray = sort(array(3,1,4,1,5,9));

[GingerRobot]

I never like sort being a permutable function.

I'll agree it would be much nicer being able to say

$sortedArray = sort(array(3,1,4,1,5,9));

 

If that's what Ken actually meant (or was he trying to be funny?), then that wouldn't be better IMO. Without looking under the hood, i'm guessing PHP uses quicksort(and indeed it does) and one of the reasons for that will be it's relatively low memory requirements. By creating a copy, that benefit will be removed.

[Ken2k7]

Actually I was being serious. I don't like permutable functions. I have to do something like:

 

<?php
$e = array(3,1,4,1,5,9);
$k = $e;
sort($e);

 

You're saying that's better? It's still creating a copy. There are times where I would like the original array.

[GingerRobot]

You're saying that's better? It's still creating a copy. There are times where I would like the original array.

 

Yes, i am saying that's better. As you say, there are times when you want the original. But there are times you don't. Sure, it pushes the problem back to the programmer but it still gives the best solution.

[Daniel0]

Besides, you could easily create your own function that has the behavior you want:

 

function cpsort(array $array)
{
sort($array);
return $array;
}

$e = array(3,1,4,1,5,9);
$k = cpsort($e);