orderby in query

Learn orderby and ascending/descending in query syntax.

Sorting with orderby

orderby sorts the elements of the query. The default direction is ascending; the descending keyword reverses it. Example: from n in numbers orderby n descending select n.

Multiple keys are comma-separated: orderby a, b descending. It first sorts by a, then by b for ties. Each key takes its own direction: orderby a ascending, b descending is valid.

Multiple keys

orderby takes multiple keys separated by commas. It first sorts by the first key; ties are broken by the second. Each key can have its own direction. Example: orderby e.Department, e.Salary descending.

This sorts employees first by department (ascending), then by salary (descending). Within a department, the highest salary comes first. Multiple keys are common in reporting and grouped views.

Exercise Sort numbers descending

Sort the numbers array in descending order with orderby n descending. Iterate with foreach and print with Console.WriteLine(n).

Show example solution

Write from n in numbers orderby n descending select n;. Then loop with foreach (var n in query) { Console.WriteLine(n); }.
Example solution:
using System;
using System.Linq;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int[] numbers = { 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2, 6 };
        var query = from n in numbers
                    orderby n descending
                    select n;
        foreach (var n in query)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(n);
        }
    }
}

Test yourself

What is the default orderby direction?
- Ascending
- Descending
- Random
- Reversed
Show answer

Ascending — Correct. orderby defaults to ascending.

Add descending

var query = from n in numbers orderby n ____ select n;

Show answer

var query = from n in numbers orderby n descending select n;

Match the sort expression to its meaning

orderby n

Sorts by single key
orderby n descending

Sorts descending
orderby a, b

Sorts by multiple keys
orderby n ascending

Sorts ascending (default)

Next lesson: group by

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