Description

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Beginner · 9 min

Sort numbers deliberately

Use a numeric comparator and preserve the original array when needed.

Choose numeric order

sort() compares strings by default. For ascending numeric order, pass a comparator that returns a negative, zero, or positive number.

const values = [10, 2, 8];
console.log([...values].sort().join(", "));
console.log([...values].sort((a, b) => a - b).join(", "));

Output

10, 2, 8
2, 8, 10

Keep the original

sort() changes its array. Copy first with spread when you need to keep the original order. Reverse the subtraction for descending numeric order.

const scores = [5, 9, 3];
const ranked = [...scores].sort((a, b) => b - a);
console.log(scores.join(", "));
console.log(ranked.join(", "));

Output

5, 9, 3
9, 5, 3

Put it into practice

  1. Predict each result before running the example.
  2. Complete the coding task, then explain why your solution works.

Try it yourself

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Rank scores

Sort a copy of scores from highest to lowest, then display ranked. Leave scores in its original order.

Practice