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# natsort

(PHP 4 )

natsort -- Sort an array using a "natural order" algorithm

## Description

void natsort ( array array)

This function implements a sort algorithm that orders alphanumeric strings in the way a human being would. This is described as a "natural ordering". An example of the difference between this algorithm and the regular computer string sorting algorithms (used in sort()) can be seen below:

Example 1. natsort() example

    <?php
    $array1 = $array2 = array ("img12.png", "img10.png", "img2.png", "img1.png");

    sort($array1);
    echo "Standard sorting\n";
    print_r($array1);

    natsort($array2);
    echo "\nNatural order sorting\n";
    print_r($array2);
    ?>

The code above will generate the following output:

    Standard sorting
    Array
    (
        [0] => img1.png
        [1] => img10.png
        [2] => img12.png
        [3] => img2.png
    )

    Natural order sorting
    Array
    (
        [3] => img1.png
        [2] => img2.png
        [1] => img10.png
        [0] => img12.png
    )

For more information see: Martin Pool's Natural Order String Comparison page.

> Note: If you're wanting to maintain index/value associations, consider using `usort($arr, 'strnatcmp')`.

See also natcasesort(), strnatcmp(), and strnatcasecmp().

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