How to Sort an Array in JavaScript Using Lodash & Vanilla JS

Learn how to sort an array of objects in JavaScript, placing specific items at the bottom. We'll cover both Lodash and vanilla JavaScript solutions!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Sort desc if item is included in an array with lodash or with out

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Sort an Array in JavaScript Using Lodash & Vanilla JS

Sorting data can often be a tricky task, especially when it comes to managing complex structures like arrays of objects. A common scenario developers face is needing to sort an array, prioritizing certain items while leaving the rest in their natural order. In this guide, we'll explore how to effectively sort an array of objects in JavaScript using both Lodash and vanilla methods. Let’s dive in!

The Problem

Imagine you have an array of objects, known as attendList, where each object contains user information including a unique identifier (uid). In addition, you have another array, found, containing some of these unique IDs. Your goal is to sort the attendList such that any objects with uid values included in the found array appear at the bottom of the list. Here is the structure of your arrays:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Initial Attempt

Your initial approach was to use Lodash's sortBy function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, this method didn’t yield the desired results. The key point to recognize is that while you're grouping the items, it does not fully control their order based on your defined conditions.

The Solution

Let’s explore two effective methods to achieve the desired sorting: one using vanilla JavaScript and another with Lodash.

Vanilla JavaScript Solution

If maintaining the order of the other items in the attendList is essential, you can use the sort function as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation:

The sort method compares two elements, a and b.

If a's uid is found in the found array, it returns 1, meaning a should go after b.

Conversely, if b is found, it returns -1, placing b below a.

If neither has a uid in found, their order remains unchanged.

Lodash Solution

If you don't need to maintain the order of the original list, a simpler approach using Lodash can be adopted:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation:

This method uses a single condition to place items found in the found array at the bottom of the list.

It effectively pushes all matching items down without caring for their original order.

Conclusion

Sorting arrays, especially those containing objects, can present unique challenges, but with the right approach, it becomes much easier. By implementing either the vanilla JavaScript or the Lodash solution provided, you can effectively manage the order of your attendList based on the found array.

Now you can confidently sort your arrays in JavaScript. Happy coding!