How to Sort an Array of Objects by Property in JavaScript

Learn how to effectively sort an array of objects by a specific property in JavaScript, ensuring accurate comparisons and sorting functionality.
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How to Sort an Array of Objects by Property in JavaScript

The Problem: Sorting by Price

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When you try to sort this array based on the price, you might run into some confusion. For instance, if you use the following sorting methods:

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or

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You may notice that the "bananas" priced at $99.30 might appear after "apples" priced at $222.30. The reason behind this is that JavaScript compares strings lexicographically (dictionary order) rather than numerically. Thus, it interprets the prices incorrectly because string comparison checks the value of the first character.

The Solution: Sorting Correctly

To sort the array correctly, you need to ensure that the price property is treated as a number. This is done by converting the string representation of the price into a floating-point number. Here's how you can achieve this in a straightforward manner:

Step 1: Convert String to Number

Use the parseFloat() function to convert the string value of price to a number. Update your sorting callback like this:

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Step 2: Sorting in Different Orders

The sorting function can be easily adjusted to sort in descending order (from largest to smallest) as well. To do this, simply swap the order of a and b in your function:

For ascending order (smallest to largest):

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For descending order (largest to smallest):

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Conclusion

Now you have the tools you need to handle prices or any other numeric properties effectively in JavaScript!

With this understanding, you can seamlessly apply sorting methods to enhance the functionality of your applications. Happy coding!