Sort Array By Value Of Class Instance

General
1

How do I sort the values of an array into an array that is ordered by the values? I’m guessing the best approach is by using dictionaries. Has anybody written a method or could guide me on how I can sort array items by how high the number is of one of its properties. Here is an example:

If I had a class with a property called Layer and I had this array before being processed by code:
Item1 { Layer: 0 }
Item2 { Layer: 3 }
Item3 { Layer: 5 }
Item4 { Layer: 2 }
Item5 { Layer: 2 }

After being processed, the final result is:
Item1 { Layer: 0 }
Item4 { Layer: 2 }
Item5 { Layer: 2 }
Item2 { Layer: 3 }
Item3 { Layer: 5 }

Notice how as you go down each item after it been processed by the desired code, each array item has a higher or identical number to previous. Also, they are in the same order as the original throughout the items with the same Layer number.

Thanks

2

Quickly off the top of my head - get the class names with introspection and put them into a parallel array. Then use SortWith to sort the objects.

3

Where classArray() is an array of your class instances:

[code]dim valueArray() as integer
redim valueArray(classArray.ubound)

for i as integer=0 to classArray.ubound
valueArray(i)=classArray(i).Layer
next

valueArray.sortWith(classArray)[/code]

4

I use some generic routines for Strings/Integers/Doubles

[code]Sub SortClassArrayByStringValue(extends items() As Object, sortField As String)
Dim keys() As String

Dim typ As Introspection.TypeInfo

Dim prop, props() As Introspection.PropertyInfo

For each oItem As Object in items

typ = Introspection.GetType(oItem)

props = typ.GetProperties

for each prop in props
  
  if prop.Name = sortField then
    
    keys.Append prop.Value(oItem)
    
    exit
    
  end if
  
Next

Next

keys.SortWith(items)

End Sub
[/code]

5

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m going to try Peter’s method.