Sorting lists

Learn sorting with sort() and sorted().

There are two ways to sort a list: sort sorts the list in place, sorted returns a new sorted list:

numbers = [3, 1, 2]
numbers.sort()       # [1, 2, 3] (in place)
sorted_list = sorted(numbers)  # new list

sort modifies the list; sorted keeps the original. For reverse order use sort(reverse=True).

Reverse sorting

Use sort(reverse=True) for descending order:

numbers = [1, 3, 2]
numbers.sort(reverse=True)
print(numbers)  # [3, 2, 1]

Strings sort alphabetically by default: ["b", "a"].sort() → ["a", "b"]. reverse=True gives reverse alphabetical.

Reverse sorting is often used when a descending display is needed and it shortens the code.

Assign numbers = [3, 1, 2]. Call numbers.sort(). Print print(numbers).

Show example solution

numbers = [3, 1, 2]
numbers.sort()
print(numbers)

Complete the sort call

numbers = [3, 1, 2]
numbers.____()

Show answer

numbers = [3, 1, 2]
numbers.sort()