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Sorting An Array of Objects

 
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I've created a class with several string variables. I created an ArrayList of the class objects. I want to sort the list on one of the variables. I change the list to an array to sort it. When I try to sort the array I get a java.lang.ClassCastException error.

Do I need a comparator? What is a comparator and how do I use it here?
[ May 31, 2002: Message edited by: Duane Eddy ]
 
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You need a comparitor or a compareTo() method. If you have a compareTo(), you should have an equals(). If you have an equals(), you must have a hashCode(). So providing a comparitor might be simpler. However, here is a demo with CompareTo.
 
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Hello,
The dictionary class might be helpful in comparing and sorting strings!!Just a suggestion
Cheers
 
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Originally posted by Duane Eddy:
I change the list to an array to sort it.


You could use one of the Collections.sort methods instead.
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by tisham:

The dictionary class might be helpful in comparing and sorting strings!!


Would it? In which way?
 
John Dale
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As suggested, there is no need to convert to an array to sort.
But I would think that to do any sorting, one would need criteria for comparing the objects. Hence the need for Comparable (that is, with a compareTo()) or a Comparitor (with its compare() method).
Once you provide a way to compare -- a sorting order -- you might even find you want to use a SortedSet (TreeSet) instead of an unsorted List (ArrayList) -- if Set semantics match your requirements better than List semantics.
[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: John Dale ]
 
Duane Eddy
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Does anyone have an example of using a comparitor?
 
Ilja Preuss
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Originally posted by Duane Eddy:
Does anyone have an example of using a comparitor?


Yes: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/collections/interfaces/order.html
BTW, I found this by searching for "java comparator tutorial" at www.google.com
 
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