6 Different Functions to Sort Arrays in PHP

We just learned about different arrays in this blog post.

3 Types of Arrays in PHP

If PHP has 3 types of arrays, can we use one function to sort all those types of arrays?

The answer is NO.

We need different functions according to array type and according to the sorting type(ascending or descending). Let's look at all those functions one by one.

sort()

This function will sort indexed arrays in ascending order. For example:

sort(name of the array variable);

sort($hobbies); //checkout the DEMO
sort($numbers); //checkout the DEMO

rsort()

This function will sort indexed arrays in descending  order. For example:

rsort(name of the array variable);

rsort($hobbies); //checkout the DEMO
rsort($numbers); //checkout the DEMO

Let me explain associate arrays a bit here before we dive into sorting functions.

$age = array("Yogi"=>"28", "Hulk"=>"56", "Captain"=>"34");
asort($age);

In the associative array example above, "Yogi" is the key and "28" is the value. So, we can sort the whole array either by key or by value. Each sorting order has a different function.

asort()

This function will sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the value. For example:

asort(name of the array variable); 

asort($age); //checkout the DEMO

ksort()

This function will sort associative arrays in ascending order, according to the key. For example:

ksort(name of the array variable); 

ksort($age); //checkout the DEMO

arsort()

This function will sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the value. For example:

arsort(name of the array variable); 

arsort($age); //checkout the DEMO

krsort()

This function will sort associative arrays in descending order, according to the key. For example:

krsort(name of the array variable); 

krsort($age); //checkout the DEMO

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