How to Sort an Array of Integers Correctly in JavaScript

Topic: JavaScript / jQueryPrev|Next

Answer: Use the sort() Method

If you simply try to sort a numeric array using the sort() method it will not work, because the sort() method sorts the array elements alphabetically. But, you can still sort an array of integers correctly through utilizing a compare function, as shown in the following example:

<script>
var numbers = [1, 5, 12, 3, 7, 15, 9];
    
// Sorting the numbers array simply using the sort method
numbers.sort(); // Sorts numbers array
alert(numbers); // Outputs: 1,12,15,3,5,7,9
    
/* Sorting the numbers array numerically in ascending order
using the sort method and a compare function */
numbers.sort(function(a, b){
    return a - b;
});
alert(numbers); // Outputs: 1,3,5,7,9,12,15
</script>

Please, check out the tutorial on JavaScript sorting arrays to learn more about array sorting.

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