Sort an array of composite structures

Sort an array of composite structures by a key.

For example, if you define a composite structure that presents a name-value pair (in pseudo-code):

Define structure pair such that: 
   name as a string
   value as a string

and an array of such pairs:

   x: array of pairs

then define a sort routine that sorts the array x by the key name.

This task can always be accomplished with Sorting Using a Custom Comparator.

If your language is not listed here, please see the other article.

11l

Translation of: Kotlin

T Employee
   String name, category

   F (name, category)
      .name = name
      .category = category

V employees = [
   Employee(‘David’, ‘Manager’),
   Employee(‘Alice’, ‘Sales’),
   Employee(‘Joanna’, ‘Director’),
   Employee(‘Henry’, ‘Admin’),
   Employee(‘Tim’, ‘Sales’),
   Employee(‘Juan’, ‘Admin’)
]

employees.sort(key' e -> e.name)

L(e) employees
   print(‘#<6 : #.’.format(e.name, e.category))

Output:

Alice  : Sales
David  : Manager
Henry  : Admin
Joanna : Director
Juan   : Admin
Tim    : Sales

AArch64 Assembly

Works with: as version Raspberry Pi 3B version Buster 64 bits

/* ARM assembly AARCH64 Raspberry PI 3B */
/*  program shellSort64.s   */
 
/*******************************************/
/* Constantes file                         */
/*******************************************/
/* for this file see task include a file in language AArch64 assembly*/
.include "../includeConstantesARM64.inc"

/*******************************************/
/* Structures                               */
/********************************************/
/* city structure      */
    .struct  0
city_name:                             //
    .struct  city_name + 8             // string pointer
city_habitants:                        // 
    .struct  city_habitants + 8        // integer 
city_end:
 
/*********************************/
/* Initialized data              */
/*********************************/
.data
sMessResult:        .asciz "Name : @  number habitants : @ \n"
szMessSortHab:      .asciz "Sort table for number of habitants :\n"
szMessSortName:     .asciz "Sort table for name of city :\n"
szCarriageReturn:   .asciz "\n"

// cities name
szCeret:           .asciz "Ceret"
szMaureillas:      .asciz "Maureillas"
szTaillet:         .asciz "Taillet"
szReynes:          .asciz "Reynes"
szVives:           .asciz "Vivés"
szBoulou:          .asciz "Le Boulou"
szSaintJean:       .asciz "Saint Jean Pla de Corts"
szCluses:          .asciz "Les Cluses"
szAlbere:          .asciz "L'Albère"
szPerthus:         .asciz "Le Perthus"

.align 4
TableCities:               
                 .quad szCluses         // address name string
                 .quad 251              // number of habitants
                 .quad szCeret
                 .quad 7705
                 .quad szMaureillas
                 .quad 2596
                 .quad szBoulou 
                 .quad 5554
                 .quad szSaintJean
                 .quad 2153
                 .quad szAlbere
                 .quad 83
                 .quad szVives
                 .quad 174
                 .quad szTaillet
                 .quad 115
                 .quad szPerthus
                 .quad 586
                 .quad szReynes
                 .quad 1354
.equ NBELEMENTS,  (. - TableCities) / city_end
                 .skip city_end         // temp area for element in shellSort
                                        // see other soluce to use stack 
                                        // in programm arm assembly in this forum
/*********************************/
/* UnInitialized data            */
/*********************************/
.bss
sZoneConv:              .skip 24
/*********************************/
/*  code section                 */
/*********************************/
.text
.global main 
main:                             // entry of program 
 
    ldr x0,qAdrszMessSortHab                      
    bl affichageMess

    ldr x0,qAdrTableCities        // address table
    mov x1,0                      // not use in routine
    mov x2,NBELEMENTS             // number of élements 
    mov x3,#city_habitants        // sort by number habitants
    mov x4,#'N'                   // numeric
    bl shellSort
    ldr x0,qAdrTableCities        // address table
    bl displayTable
 
     ldr x0,qAdrszMessSortName
    bl affichageMess

    ldr x0,qAdrTableCities        // address table
    mov x1,0                      // not use in routine
    mov x2,NBELEMENTS             // number of élements 
    mov x3,#city_name             // sort by city name
    mov x4,#'A'                   // alphanumeric
    bl shellSort
    ldr x0,qAdrTableCities        // address table
    bl displayTable
 
100:                              // standard end of the program 
    mov x0,0                      // return code
    mov x8,EXIT                   // request to exit program
    svc 0                         // perform the system call
 
qAdrsZoneConv:            .quad sZoneConv
qAdrszCarriageReturn:     .quad szCarriageReturn
qAdrsMessResult:          .quad sMessResult
qAdrTableCities:          .quad TableCities
qAdrszMessSortHab:        .quad szMessSortHab
qAdrszMessSortName:        .quad szMessSortName
/***************************************************/
/*   shell Sort                                    */
/***************************************************/
/* x0 contains the address of table */
/* x1 contains the first element but not use !!   */
/*   this routine use first element at index zero !!!  */
/* x2 contains the number of element */
/* x3 contains the offset of sort zone */
/* x4 contains type of sort zone N = numeric A = alphanumeric */
shellSort:
    stp x1,lr,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x2,x3,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x4,x5,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x6,x7,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x8,x9,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x10,x11,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x12,x13,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    mov x8,x3                    // save offset area sort
    mov x9,x4                    // save type sort
    mov x7,city_end              // element size
    sub x12,x2,1                 // index last item
    mov x11,x12                  // init gap = last item
1:                               // start loop 1
    lsr x11,x11,1                // gap = gap / 2
    cbz x11,100f                 // if gap = 0 -> end
    mov x3,x11                   // init loop indice 1 
2:                               // start loop 2
    mul x1,x3,x7                 // offset élement
    mov x2,NBELEMENTS
    mul x2,x7,x2
    bl copyElement
    add x1,x1,x8                 // + offset sort zone
    ldr x4,[x0,x1]               // load first value
    mov x5,x3                    // init loop indice 2
3:                               // start loop 3
    cmp x5,x11                   // indice < gap
    blt 7f                       // yes -> end loop 2
    sub x6,x5,x11                // index = indice - gap
    mul x1,x6,x7                 // compute offset
    add x10,x1,x8                // + offset sort zone
    ldr x2,[x0,x10]              // load second value
    cmp x9,#'A'                  // sort area alapha ?
    beq 4f                       // yes
    cmp x4,x2                    //  else compare numeric values
    bge 7f                       // highter
    b 6f                         // lower
4:                               // compare area alphanumeric
    mov x10,#0                   // counter
5:
    ldrb w13,[x4,x10]            // byte string 1
    ldrb w6,[x2,x10]             // byte string 2
    cmp w13,w6
    bgt 7f                     
    blt 6f

    cmp w13,#0                   //  end string 1
    beq 7f                       // end comparaison
    add x10,x10,#1               // else add 1 in counter
    b 5b                         // and loop

6:
    mul x2,x5,x7                 // offset élement
    bl copyElement               // copy element x1 to element x2
    sub x5,x5,x11                // indice = indice - gap
    b 3b                         // and loop
7:
    mov x1,NBELEMENTS
    mul x1,x7,x1
    mul x2,x7,x5
    bl copyElement
    add x3,x3,1                  // increment indice 1
    cmp x3,x12                   // end ?
    ble 2b                       // no -> loop 2
    b 1b                         // yes loop for new gap
 
100:                             // end function
    ldp x12,x13,[sp],16          // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x10,x11,[sp],16          // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x8,x9,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x6,x7,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x4,x5,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x2,x3,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x1,lr,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ret                          // return to address lr x30

/******************************************************************/
/*      copy table element                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* r0 contains the address of table */
/* r1 offset origin element */
/* r2 offset destination element */
copyElement:
    stp x1,lr,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x2,x3,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x4,x5,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    mov x3,0
    add x1,x1,x0
    add x2,x2,x0
1:
    ldrb w4,[x1,x3]
    strb w4,[x2,x3]
    add x3,x3,1
    cmp x3,city_end
    blt 1b
100:
    ldp x4,x5,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x2,x3,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x1,lr,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ret                          // return to address lr x30
/******************************************************************/
/*      Display table elements                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* x0 contains the address of table */
displayTable:
    stp x1,lr,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x2,x3,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x4,x5,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    stp x6,x7,[sp,-16]!          // save  registers
    mov x2,x0                    // table address
    mov x3,0
    mov x6,city_end
1:                               // loop display table
    mul x4,x3,x6
    add x4,x4,city_name
    ldr x1,[x2,x4]
    ldr x0,qAdrsMessResult
    bl strInsertAtCharInc        // put name in message
    mov x5,x0                     // save address of new message
    mul x4,x3,x6
    add x4,x4,city_habitants       // and load value
    ldr x0,[x2,x4]
    ldr x1,qAdrsZoneConv         // display value
    bl conversion10              // call function
    mov x0,x5
    ldr x1,qAdrsZoneConv
    bl strInsertAtCharInc        // insert result at @ character
    bl affichageMess             // display message
    add x3,x3,1
    cmp x3,#NBELEMENTS - 1
    ble 1b
    ldr x0,qAdrszCarriageReturn
    bl affichageMess
100:
    ldp x6,x7,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x4,x5,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x2,x3,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ldp x1,lr,[sp],16            // restaur  2 registers
    ret                          // return to address lr x30
/********************************************************/
/*        File Include fonctions                        */
/********************************************************/
/* for this file see task include a file in language AArch64 assembly */
.include "../includeARM64.inc"

Sort table for number of habitants :
Name : L'Albère  number habitants : 83
Name : Taillet  number habitants : 115
Name : Vivés  number habitants : 174
Name : Les Cluses  number habitants : 251
Name : Le Perthus  number habitants : 586
Name : Reynes  number habitants : 1354
Name : Saint Jean Pla de Corts  number habitants : 2153
Name : Maureillas  number habitants : 2596
Name : Le Boulou  number habitants : 5554
Name : Ceret  number habitants : 7705

Sort table for name of city :
Name : Ceret  number habitants : 7705
Name : L'Albère  number habitants : 83
Name : Le Boulou  number habitants : 5554
Name : Le Perthus  number habitants : 586
Name : Les Cluses  number habitants : 251
Name : Maureillas  number habitants : 2596
Name : Reynes  number habitants : 1354
Name : Saint Jean Pla de Corts  number habitants : 2153
Name : Taillet  number habitants : 115
Name : Vivés  number habitants : 174

ACL2

(defun insert-by-key (o os key)
   (cond ((endp os) (list o))
         ((< (cdr (assoc key o))
             (cdr (assoc key (first os))))
          (cons o os))
         (t (cons (first os)
                  (insert-by-key o (rest os) key)))))

(defun isort-by-key (os key)
   (if (endp os)
       nil
       (insert-by-key (first os)
                      (isort-by-key (rest os) key)
                      key)))

(isort-by-key
 '(((name  . "map")
   (weight . 9)
   (value  . 150))
  ((name   . "compass")
   (weight . 13)
   (value  . 35))
  ((name   . "water")
   (weight . 153)
   (value  . 200))
  ((name   . "sandwich")
   (weight . 50)
   (value  . 60))
  ((name   . "glucose")
   (weight . 15)
   (value  . 60)))
 'value)

Output:

(((NAME . "compass")
  (WEIGHT . 13)
  (VALUE . 35))
 ((NAME . "glucose")
  (WEIGHT . 15)
  (VALUE . 60))
 ((NAME . "sandwich")
  (WEIGHT . 50)
  (VALUE . 60))
 ((NAME . "map")
  (WEIGHT . 9)
  (VALUE . 150))
 ((NAME . "water")
  (WEIGHT . 153)
  (VALUE . 200)))

Action!

DEFINE PTR="CARD"
DEFINE PAIR_SIZE="4"
DEFINE PAIR_COUNT="1"

TYPE Pair=[PTR name,value]

BYTE ARRAY pairs(100)
BYTE count=[0]

PTR FUNC GetItemAddr(INT index)
  PTR addr

  addr=pairs+index*PAIR_SIZE
RETURN (addr)

PROC PrintArray()
  INT i
  Pair POINTER p

  Put('[)
  FOR i=0 TO count-1
  DO
    IF i>0 THEN Put(' ) FI
    p=GetItemAddr(i)
    PrintF("(%S,%S)",p.name,p.value)
  OD
  Put(']) PutE()
RETURN

PROC Append(CHAR ARRAY n,v)
  Pair POINTER dst

  dst=GetItemAddr(count)
  dst.name=n
  dst.value=v
  count==+1
RETURN

PROC InitData()
  Append("Warsaw","Poland")
  Append("Prague","Czech Republic")
  Append("London","United Kingdom")
  Append("Paris","France")
  Append("Madrit","Spain")
  Append("Berlin","Germany")
  Append("Rome","Italy")
  Append("Moscow","Russia")
  Append("Budapest","Hungary")
RETURN

PROC Sort()
  INT i,j,minpos
  CHAR ARRAY tmp
  Pair POINTER p1,p2

  FOR i=0 TO count-2
  DO
    minpos=i
    FOR j=i+1 TO count-1
    DO
      p1=GetItemAddr(minpos)
      p2=GetItemAddr(j)
      IF SCompare(p1.name,p2.name)>0 THEN
        minpos=j
      FI
    OD
    
    IF minpos#i THEN
      p1=GetItemAddr(minpos)
      p2=GetItemAddr(i)
      tmp=p1.name p1.name=p2.name p2.name=tmp
      tmp=p1.value p1.value=p2.value p2.value=tmp
    FI
  OD
RETURN

PROC Main()
  InitData()
  PrintE("Array before sort:")
  PrintArray() PutE()
  
  Sort()
  PrintE("Array after sort:")
  PrintArray()
RETURN

Output:

Screenshot from Atari 8-bit computer

Array before sort:
[(Warsaw,Poland) (Prague,Czech Republic) (London,United Kingdom) (Paris,France) (Madrit,Spain) (Berlin,Germany) (Rome,Italy) (Moscow,Russia) (Budapest,Hungary)]

Array after sort:
[(Berlin,Germany) (Budapest,Hungary) (London,United Kingdom) (Madrit,Spain) (Moscow,Russia) (Paris,France) (Prague,Czech Republic) (Rome,Italy) (Warsaw,Poland)]

Ada

Ada 2005 defines 2 standard subprograms for sorting arrays - 1 for constrained arrays and 1 for unconstrained arrays. Below is a example of using the unconstrained version.

with Ada.Strings.Unbounded; use Ada.Strings.Unbounded;
with Ada.Text_IO;           use Ada.Text_IO;

with Ada.Containers.Generic_Array_Sort;

procedure Demo_Array_Sort is

   function "+" (S : String) return Unbounded_String renames To_Unbounded_String;

   type A_Composite is
      record
         Name  : Unbounded_String;
         Value : Unbounded_String;
      end record;

   function "<" (L, R : A_Composite) return Boolean is
   begin
      return L.Name < R.Name;
   end "<";

   procedure Put_Line (C : A_Composite) is
   begin
      Put_Line (To_String (C.Name) & " " & To_String (C.Value));
   end Put_Line;

   type An_Array is array (Natural range <>) of A_Composite;

   procedure Sort is new Ada.Containers.Generic_Array_Sort (Natural, A_Composite, An_Array);

   Data : An_Array := (1 => (Name => +"Joe",    Value => +"5531"),
                       2 => (Name => +"Adam",   Value => +"2341"),
                       3 => (Name => +"Bernie", Value => +"122"),
                       4 => (Name => +"Walter", Value => +"1234"),
                       5 => (Name => +"David",  Value => +"19"));

begin
   Sort (Data);
   for I in Data'Range loop
      Put_Line (Data (I));
   end loop;
end Demo_Array_Sort;

Result:

  C:\Ada\sort_composites\lib\demo_array_sort
  Adam 2341
  Bernie 122
  David 19
  Joe 5531
  Walter 1234

Ada 2005 also provides ordered containers, so no explicit call is required. Here is an example of an ordered set:

with Ada.Strings.Unbounded; use Ada.Strings.Unbounded;
with Ada.Text_IO;           use Ada.Text_IO;

with Ada.Containers.Ordered_Sets;

procedure Sort_Composites is

   function "+" (S : String) return Unbounded_String renames To_Unbounded_String;

   type A_Composite is
      record
         Name  : Unbounded_String;
         Value : Unbounded_String;
      end record;

   function "<" (L, R : A_Composite) return Boolean is
   begin
      return L.Name < R.Name;
   end "<";

   procedure Put_Line (C : A_Composite) is
   begin
      Put_Line (To_String (C.Name) & " " & To_String (C.Value));
   end Put_Line;

   package Composite_Sets is new Ada.Containers.Ordered_Sets (A_Composite);

   procedure Put_Line (C : Composite_Sets.Cursor) is
   begin
      Put_Line (Composite_Sets.Element (C));
   end Put_Line;

   Data : Composite_Sets.Set;

begin
   Data.Insert (New_Item => (Name => +"Joe",    Value => +"5531"));
   Data.Insert (New_Item => (Name => +"Adam",   Value => +"2341"));
   Data.Insert (New_Item => (Name => +"Bernie", Value => +"122"));
   Data.Insert (New_Item => (Name => +"Walter", Value => +"1234"));
   Data.Insert (New_Item => (Name => +"David",  Value => +"19"));
   Data.Iterate (Put_Line'Access);
end Sort_Composites;

Result:

  C:\Ada\sort_composites\lib\sort_composites
  Adam 2341
  Bernie 122
  David 19
  Joe 5531
  Walter 1234

There is no standard sort function for Ada 95. The example below implements a simple bubble sort.

with Ada.Text_Io;
with Ada.Strings.Unbounded; use Ada.Strings.Unbounded;

procedure Sort_Composite is
   type Composite_Record is record
      Name : Unbounded_String;
      Value : Unbounded_String;
   end record;
   
   type Pairs_Array is array(Positive range <>) of Composite_Record;
   
   procedure Swap(Left, Right : in out Composite_Record) is
      Temp : Composite_Record := Left;
   begin
      Left := Right;
      Right := Temp;
   end Swap; 
   
   -- Sort_Names uses a bubble sort
   
   procedure Sort_Name(Pairs : in out Pairs_Array) is
      Swap_Performed : Boolean := True;
   begin
      while Swap_Performed loop
         Swap_Performed := False;
         for I in Pairs'First..(Pairs'Last - 1) loop
            if Pairs(I).Name > Pairs(I + 1).Name then
               Swap (Pairs(I), Pairs(I + 1));
               Swap_Performed := True;
            end if;
         end loop;
      end loop;
   end Sort_Name;
   
   procedure Print(Item : Pairs_Array) is
   begin
      for I in Item'range loop
         Ada.Text_Io.Put_Line(To_String(Item(I).Name) & ", " & 
            to_String(Item(I).Value));
      end loop;
   end Print;
   type Names is (Fred, Barney, Wilma, Betty, Pebbles);
   type Values is (Home, Work, Cook, Eat, Bowl);
   My_Pairs : Pairs_Array(1..5);
begin
   for I in My_Pairs'range loop
      My_Pairs(I).Name := To_Unbounded_String(Names'Image(Names'Val(Integer(I - 1))));
      My_Pairs(I).Value := To_Unbounded_String(Values'Image(Values'Val(Integer(I - 1))));
   end loop;
   Print(My_Pairs);
   Ada.Text_Io.Put_Line("=========================");
   Sort_Name(My_Pairs);
   Print(My_Pairs);
end Sort_Composite;

ALGOL 68

Translation of: python

Works with: ALGOL 68 version Standard - with prelude inserted manually

Works with: ALGOL 68G version Any - tested with release mk15-0.8b.fc9.i386

MODE SORTSTRUCT = PERSON;
OP < = (PERSON a,b)BOOL: age OF a < age OF b;
PR READ "prelude/sort.a68" PR;

MODE PERSON = STRUCT (STRING name, INT age);
FORMAT person repr = $"Name: "g", Age: "g(0)l$;

[]SORTSTRUCT person = (("joe", 120), ("foo", 31), ("bar", 51));
printf((person repr, shell sort(person), $l$))

Output:

Name: foo, Age: 31
Name: bar, Age: 51
Name: joe, Age: 120

AppleScript

macOS Yosemite onwards, for import of Foundation framework

use framework "Foundation"

----- SORTING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (BY MULTIPLE KEYS) ------

-- List of {strKey, blnAscending} pairs -> list of records -> sorted list of records

-- sortByComparing :: [(String, Bool)] -> [Record] -> [Record]
on sortByComparing(keyDirections, xs)
    set ca to current application
    
    script recDict
        on |λ|(x)
            ca's NSDictionary's dictionaryWithDictionary:x
        end |λ|
    end script
    set dcts to map(recDict, xs)
    
    script asDescriptor
        on |λ|(kd)
            set {k, d} to kd
            ca's NSSortDescriptor's sortDescriptorWithKey:k ascending:d selector:dcts
        end |λ|
    end script
    
    ((ca's NSArray's arrayWithArray:dcts)'s ¬
        sortedArrayUsingDescriptors:map(asDescriptor, keyDirections)) as list
end sortByComparing


--------------------------- TEST ---------------------------
on run
    set xs to [¬
        {city:"Shanghai ", pop:24.2}, ¬
        {city:"Karachi ", pop:23.5}, ¬
        {city:"Beijing ", pop:21.5}, ¬
        {city:"Sao Paulo ", pop:24.2}, ¬
        {city:"Dhaka ", pop:17.0}, ¬
        {city:"Delhi ", pop:16.8}, ¬
        {city:"Lagos ", pop:16.1}]
    
    -- Boolean true for ascending order, false for descending:
    
    sortByComparing([{"pop", false}, {"city", true}], xs)
end run


-------------------- GENERIC FUNCTIONS ---------------------

-- map :: (a -> b) -> [a] -> [b]
on map(f, xs)
    tell mReturn(f)
        set lng to length of xs
        set lst to {}
        repeat with i from 1 to lng
            set end of lst to |λ|(item i of xs, i, xs)
        end repeat
        return lst
    end tell
end map


-- Lift 2nd class handler function into 1st class script wrapper 
-- mReturn :: Handler -> Script
on mReturn(f)
    if class of f is script then
        f
    else
        script
            property |λ| : f
        end script
    end if
end mReturn

Output:

{{pop:24.2, city:"Sao Paulo "}, {pop:24.2, city:"Shanghai "}, {pop:23.5, city:"Karachi "}, {pop:21.5, city:"Beijing "}, {pop:17.0, city:"Dhaka "}, {pop:16.8, city:"Delhi "}, {pop:16.1, city:"Lagos "}}

ARM Assembly

Works with: as version Raspberry Pi

/* ARM assembly Raspberry PI  */
/*  program compositeSort.s   */ 

/* REMARK 1 : this program use routines in a include file 
   see task Include a file language arm assembly 
   for the routine affichageMess conversion10 
   see at end of this program the instruction include */
/* for constantes see task include a file in arm assembly */
/************************************/
/* Constantes                       */
/************************************/
.include "../constantes.inc"

/*******************************************/
/* Structures                               */
/********************************************/
/* city structure      */
    .struct  0
city_name:                             @ 
    .struct  city_name + 4 
city_habitants:                             @ 
    .struct  city_habitants + 4 
city_end:
/*********************************/
/* Initialized data              */
/*********************************/
.data
sMessResult:        .asciz "Name : @  number habitants : @ \n"
szMessSortHab:      .asciz "Sort table for number of habitants :\n"
szMessSortName:     .asciz "Sort table for name of city :\n"
szCarriageReturn:   .asciz "\n"
 
// cities name
szCeret:           .asciz "Ceret"
szMaureillas:      .asciz "Maureillas"
szTaillet:         .asciz "Taillet"
szReynes:          .asciz "Reynes"
szVives:           .asciz "Vivés"
szBoulou:          .asciz "Le Boulou"
szSaintJean:       .asciz "Saint Jean Pla de Corts"
szCluses:          .asciz "Les Cluses"
szAlbere:          .asciz "L'Albère"
szPerthus:         .asciz "Le Perthus"
.align 4

TableCities:               
                 .int szCluses         @ address name string
                 .int 251              @ number of habitants
                 .int szCeret
                 .int 7705
                 .int szMaureillas
                 .int 2596
                 .int szBoulou 
                 .int 5554
                 .int szSaintJean
                 .int 2153
                 .int szAlbere
                 .int 83
                 .int szVives
                 .int 174
                 .int szTaillet
                 .int 115
                 .int szPerthus
                 .int 586
                 .int szReynes
                 .int 1354
.equ NBELEMENTS,  (. - TableCities) / city_end
/*********************************/
/* UnInitialized data            */
/*********************************/
.bss
sZoneConv:        .skip 24
/*********************************/
/*  code section                 */
/*********************************/
.text
.global main 
main:                                             @ entry of program 
 
    ldr r0,iAdrszMessSortHab                      
    bl affichageMess

    ldr r0,iAdrTableCities                        @ address city table
    mov r1,#0                                     @ not use in routine
    mov r2,#NBELEMENTS                            @ number of élements 
    mov r3,#city_habitants                        @ sort by number habitants
    mov r4,#'N'                                   @ Alphanumeric
    bl shellSort
    ldr r0,iAdrTableCities                        @ address number table
    bl displayTable
    
    ldr r0,iAdrszMessSortName                      
    bl affichageMess
 
    ldr r0,iAdrTableCities                        @ address city table
    mov r1,#0                                     @ not use in routine
    mov r2,#NBELEMENTS                            @ number of élements 
    mov r3,#city_name                             @ sort by name
    mov r4,#'A'                                   @ Alphanumeric
    bl shellSort
    ldr r0,iAdrTableCities                        @ address number table
    bl displayTable

100:                                              @ standard end of the program 
    mov r0, #0                                    @ return code
    mov r7, #EXIT                                 @ request to exit program
    svc #0                                        @ perform the system call
 
iAdrszCarriageReturn:     .int szCarriageReturn
iAdrsMessResult:          .int sMessResult
iAdrTableCities:          .int TableCities
iAdrszMessSortHab:        .int szMessSortHab
iAdrszMessSortName:       .int szMessSortName
/***************************************************/
/*   shell Sort                                    */
/***************************************************/

/* r0 contains the address of table */
/* r1 contains the first element but not use !!   */
/*   this routine use first element at index zero !!!  */
/* r2 contains the number of element */
/* r3 contains the offset of sort zone */
/* r4 contains type of sort zone N = numeric A = alphanumeric */
shellSort:
    push {r0-r12,lr}             @ save registers
    sub sp,#city_end             @ reserve area on stack
    mov fp,sp                    @ frame pointer = stack
    mov r8,r3                    @ save offser area sort
    mov r9,r4                    @ save type sort
    mov r7,#city_end             @ element size
    //vidregtit debut
    sub r12,r2,#1                @ index last item
    mov r6,r12                   @ init gap = last item
1:                               @ start loop 1
    lsrs r6,#1                   @ gap = gap / 2
    beq 100f                     @ if gap = 0 -> end
    mov r3,r6                    @ init loop indice 1 
2:                               @ start loop 2
    mul r1,r3,r7                 @ offset élement
    mov r2,fp                    @ save on stack
    bl saveElement 
    add r1,r8                    @ + offset sort zone
    ldr r4,[r0,r1]               @ load first value
    mov r5,r3                    @ init loop indice 2
3:                               @ start loop 3
    cmp r5,r6                    @ indice < gap
    blt 8f                       @ yes -> end loop 2
    sub r10,r5,r6                @ index = indice - gap
    mul r1,r10,r7                @ offset élement
    add r10,r1,r8                @ + offset sort zone
    ldr r2,[r0,r10]              @ load second value
    push {r3,r5}                 @ save registrars because not enought register
    cmp r9,#'A'                  @ sort area alapha ?
    beq 4f                       @ yes
    cmp r4,r2                    @  else compare numeric values
    bge 7f                       @ highter
    b 6f                         @ lower
4:                               @ compare area alphanumeric
    mov r10,#0                   @ counter
5:
    ldrb r3,[r4,r10]             @ byte string 1
    ldrb r5,[r2,r10]             @ byte string 2
    cmp r3,r5
    bgt 7f                     
    blt 6f

    cmp r3,#0                    @  end string 1
    beq 7f                       @ ens comparaison
    add r10,r10,#1               @ else add 1 in counter
    b 5b                         @ and loop
     
6:
    pop {r3,r5}                  @ restaur registers
    mul r2,r5,r7                 @ offset élement
    bl copyElement               @ copy element r1 to element r2
    sub r5,r6                    @ indice = indice - gap
    b 3b                         @ and loop
7:
    pop {r3,r5}
8:                               @ end loop 3
    mul r1,r5,r7                 @ offset destination élement 
    mov r2,fp                    @ restaur element in table
    bl restaurElement 
    add r3,#1                    @ increment indice 1
    cmp r3,r12                   @ end ?
    ble 2b                       @ no -> loop 2
    b 1b                         @ yes loop for new gap
 
100:                             @ end function
    add sp,#city_end 
    pop {r0-r12,lr}              @ restaur registers
    bx lr                        @ return 
/******************************************************************/
/*      copy table element                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* r0 contains the address of table */
/* r1 offset origin element */
/* r2 offset destination element */
copyElement:
    push {r0-r4,lr}                                    @ save registers
    //vidregtit copy
    mov r3,#0
    add r1,r0
    add r2,r0
1:
    ldrb r4,[r1,r3]
    strb r4,[r2,r3]
    add r3,#1
    cmp r3,#city_end
    blt 1b
100:
    pop {r0-r4,lr}
    bx lr
/******************************************************************/
/*      save element                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* r0 contains the address of table */
/* r1 offset origin element */
/* r2 address destination  */
saveElement:
    push {r0-r4,lr}                                    @ save registers
    mov r3,#0
    add r1,r0
1:
    ldrb r4,[r1,r3]
    strb r4,[r2,r3]
    add r3,#1
    cmp r3,#city_end
    blt 1b
100:
    pop {r0-r4,lr}
    bx lr
/******************************************************************/
/*      restaur element                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* r0 contains the address of table */
/* r1 offset destination element */
/* r2 address origine  */
restaurElement:
    push {r0-r4,lr}                                    @ save registers
    mov r3,#0
    add r1,r0
1:
    ldrb r4,[r2,r3]
    strb r4,[r1,r3]
    add r3,#1
    cmp r3,#city_end
    blt 1b
100:
    pop {r0-r4,lr}
    bx lr
/******************************************************************/
/*      Display table elements                                */ 
/******************************************************************/
/* r0 contains the address of table */
displayTable:
    push {r0-r6,lr}              @ save registers
    mov r2,r0                    @ table address
    mov r3,#0
    mov r6,#city_end
1:                               @ loop display table
    mul r4,r3,r6
    add r4,#city_name
    ldr r1,[r2,r4]
    ldr r0,iAdrsMessResult
    bl strInsertAtCharInc        @ put name in message
    mov r5,r0                    @ save address of new message
    mul r4,r3,r6
    add r4,#city_habitants       @ and load value
    ldr r0,[r2,r4]
    ldr r1,iAdrsZoneConv
    bl conversion10              @ call decimal conversion
    mov r0,r5
    ldr r1,iAdrsZoneConv         @ insert conversion in message
    bl strInsertAtCharInc
    bl affichageMess             @ display message
    add r3,#1
    cmp r3,#NBELEMENTS - 1
    ble 1b
    ldr r0,iAdrszCarriageReturn
    bl affichageMess
100:
    pop {r0-r6,lr}
    bx lr
iAdrsZoneConv:      .int sZoneConv

/***************************************************/
/*      ROUTINES INCLUDE                           */
/***************************************************/
.include "../affichage.inc"

Sort table for number of habitants :
Name : L'Albère  number habitants : 83
Name : Taillet  number habitants : 115
Name : Vivés  number habitants : 174
Name : Les Cluses  number habitants : 251
Name : Le Perthus  number habitants : 586
Name : Reynes  number habitants : 1354
Name : Saint Jean Pla de Corts  number habitants : 2153
Name : Maureillas  number habitants : 2596
Name : Le Boulou  number habitants : 5554
Name : Ceret  number habitants : 7705

Sort table for name of city :
Name : Ceret  number habitants : 7705
Name : L'Albère  number habitants : 83
Name : Le Boulou  number habitants : 5554
Name : Le Perthus  number habitants : 586
Name : Les Cluses  number habitants : 251
Name : Maureillas  number habitants : 2596
Name : Reynes  number habitants : 1354
Name : Saint Jean Pla de Corts  number habitants : 2153
Name : Taillet  number habitants : 115
Name : Vivés  number habitants : 174

Arturo

people: [
    ["joe" 120]
    ["foo" 31]
    ["bar" 51]
]

print arrange people 'x -> x\0

Output:

[bar 51] [foo 31] [joe 120]

ATS

#include "share/atspre_staload.hats"

typedef pair =
  '{
    name = string,
    value = string
  }

fn
sort_pairs {n     : int}
           (pairs : &array (pair, n) >> _,
            n     : size_t n)
    :<!wrt> void =
  let
    implement
    array_quicksort$cmp<pair> (x, y) =
      strcmp (x.name, y.name)
  in
    array_quicksort<pair> (pairs, n)
  end

implement
main0 () =
  let
    val pairs_list : list (pair, 9) =
      $list
        ('{name = "Warsaw",   value = "Poland"},
         '{name = "Prague",   value = "Czech Republic"},
         '{name = "London",   value = "United Kingdom"},
         '{name = "Paris",    value = "France"},
         '{name = "Madrid",   value = "Spain"},
         '{name = "Berlin",   value = "Germany"},
         '{name = "Rome",     value = "Italy"},
         '{name = "Moscow",   value = "Russia"},
         '{name = "Budapest", value = "Hungary"})

    var pairs_array : @[pair][9]
    val () = array_initize_list<pair> (pairs_array, 9, pairs_list)

    val () = sort_pairs (pairs_array, i2sz 9)

    var i : [i : nat | i <= 9] int i
  in
    for (i := 0; i <> 9; i := succ i)
      println! (pairs_array[i].name, " -> ", pairs_array[i].value)
  end

Output:

$ patscc -DATS_MEMALLOC_GCBDW -O3 sort_composite_structures.dats -lgc && ./a.out
Berlin -> Germany
Budapest -> Hungary
London -> United Kingdom
Madrid -> Spain
Moscow -> Russia
Paris -> France
Prague -> Czech Republic
Rome -> Italy
Warsaw -> Poland

AutoHotkey

built ListView Gui, contains a table sorting function which can be used for this.

start:
Gui, Add, ListView, r20 w200, 1|2
data =
(
foo,53
joe,34
bar,23
)

Loop, parse, data, `n
{
  stringsplit, row, A_LoopField, `,
  LV_Add(row, row1, row2)
}
LV_ModifyCol()  ; Auto-size columns
Gui, Show
msgbox, sorting by column1
LV_ModifyCol(1, "sort") ; sort by first column
msgbox, sorting by column2
LV_ModifyCol(2, "sort Integer") ; sort by second column numerically
return

GuiClose:
ExitApp

AWK

# syntax: GAWK -f SORT_AN_ARRAY_OF_COMPOSITE_STRUCTURES.AWK
BEGIN {
# AWK lacks structures but one can be simulated using an associative array.
    arr["eight  8 "]
    arr["two    2 "]
    arr["five   5 "]
    arr["nine   9 "]
    arr["one    1 "]
    arr["three  3 "]
    arr["six    6 "]
    arr["seven  7 "]
    arr["four   4 "]
    arr["ten    10"]
    arr["zero   0 "]
    arr["twelve 12"]
    arr["minus2 -2"]
    show(1,7,"@val_str_asc","name") # use name part of name-value pair
    show(8,9,"@val_num_asc","value") # use value part of name-value pair
    exit(0)
}
function show(a,b,sequence,description,  i,x) {
    PROCINFO["sorted_in"] = "@unsorted"
    for (i in arr) {
      x = substr(i,a,b)
      sub(/ +/,"",x)
      arr[i] = x
    }
    PROCINFO["sorted_in"] = sequence
    printf("sorted by %s:",description)
    for (i in arr) {
      printf(" %s",arr[i])
    }
    printf("\n")
}

Output:

sorted by name: eight five four minus2 nine one seven six ten three twelve two zero
sorted by value: -2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12

First, we construct a list-of-maps and assign it to variable baz. Next, we sort baz by key "foo" and assign it to variable bop. Finally, we lookup "foo" in each map in list bop and display the resulting list of numbers - they are in sorted order.

babel> baz ([map "foo" 3 "bar" 17] [map "foo" 4 "bar" 18] [map "foo" 5 "bar" 19] [map "foo" 0 "bar" 20]) <
babel> bop baz { <- "foo" lumap ! -> "foo" lumap ! lt? } lssort ! <
babel> bop {"foo" lumap !} over ! lsnum !
( 0 3 4 5 )

The same technique works for any list of data-objects you may have. User-code can expect to have the top two elements of the stack set to be the two objects to be compared. Simply access the relevant field in each object, and then perform a comparison. For example, here is a list of pairs sorted by first element:

babel> 20 lsrange ! {1 randlf 2 rem} lssort ! 2 group ! --> this creates a shuffled list of pairs
babel> dup {lsnum !} ... --> display the shuffled list, pair-by-pair
( 11 10 )
( 15 13 )
( 12 16 )
( 17 3 )
( 14 5 )
( 4 19 )
( 18 9 )
( 1 7 )
( 8 6 )
( 0 2 )
babel> {<- car -> car lt? } lssort ! --> sort the list by first element of each pair
babel> dup {lsnum !} ... --> display the sorted list, pair-by-pair
( 0 2 )
( 1 7 )
( 4 19 )
( 8 6 )
( 11 10 )
( 12 16 )
( 14 5 )
( 15 13 )
( 17 3 )
( 18 9 )

The gpsort utility performs this kind of comparison "automagically" by leveraging the ordering of Babel's underlying data-structure. Using the shuffled list from the example above:

babel> gpsort !
babel> dup {lsnum !} ...
( 0 2 )
( 1 7 )
( 4 19 )
( 8 6 )
( 11 10 )
( 12 16 )
( 14 5 )
( 15 13 )
( 17 3 )
( 18 9 )

Note that gpsort will not work for the case where you want to sort on the second element of a list of pairs. But it will work for performing a canonical sort on numbers, arrays of numbers, lists of numbers, lists of lists, lists of arrays, arrays of lists, and so on. You should not use gpsort with strings; use lexsort or strsort instead. Here's an example of sorting a mixture of pairs and triples using gpsort:

babel> dup {lsnum !} ... --> display the shuffled list of pairs and triples
( 7 2 )
( 6 4 )
( 8 9 )
( 0 5 )
( 5 14 0 )
( 3 1 )
( 9 6 10 )
( 1 12 4 )
( 11 13 7 )
( 8 2 3 )
babel> gpsort ! --> sort the list
babel> dup {lsnum !} ... --> display the result
( 0 5 )
( 3 1 )
( 6 4 )
( 7 2 )
( 8 9 )
( 1 12 4 )
( 5 14 0 )
( 8 2 3 )
( 9 6 10 )
( 11 13 7 )

BBC BASIC

Works with: BBC BASIC for Windows

Uses the supplied SORTSALIB library.

      INSTALL @lib$+"SORTSALIB"
      sort% = FN_sortSAinit(0,0)
      
      DIM pair{name$, number%}
      DIM array{(10)} = pair{}
      FOR i% = 1 TO DIM(array{()}, 1)
        READ array{(i%)}.name$, array{(i%)}.number%
      NEXT
      
      DATA "Eight", 8, "Two", 2, "Five", 5, "Nine", 9, "One", 1
      DATA "Three", 3, "Six", 6, "Seven", 7, "Four", 4, "Ten", 10
      
      C% = DIM(array{()}, 1)
      D% = 1
      CALL sort%, array{()}, array{(0)}.number%, array{(0)}.name$
      
      FOR i% = 1 TO DIM(array{()}, 1)
        PRINT array{(i%)}.name$, array{(i%)}.number%
      NEXT

Output:

One                1
Two                2
Three              3
Four               4
Five               5
Six                6
Seven              7
Eight              8
Nine               9
Ten               10

Bracmat

The easiest way to sort an array of elements in Bracmat is to handle it as a sum of terms. A sum, when evaluated, is automatically sorted.

( (tab=("C++",1979)+(Ada,1983)+(Ruby,1995)+(Eiffel,1985))
& out$"unsorted array:"
& lst$tab
& out$("sorted array:" !tab \n)
& out$"But tab is still unsorted:"
& lst$tab
);

Output:

unsorted array:
(tab=
("C++",1979)+(Ada,1983)+(Ruby,1995)+(Eiffel,1985)
);
  sorted array:
  (Ada,1983)+(C++,1979)+(Eiffel,1985)+(Ruby,1995)


But tab is still unsorted:
(tab=
("C++",1979)+(Ada,1983)+(Ruby,1995)+(Eiffel,1985)
);

When evaluating !tab, the expression bound to the variable name tab is sorted, but the unevaluated expression is still bound to tab. An assignment binds the sorted expression to tab:

( !tab:?tab
& out$"Now tab is sorted:"
& lst$tab
);

Output:

Now tab is sorted:
(tab=
(Ada,1983)+("C++",1979)+(Eiffel,1985)+(Ruby,1995)
);

To sort an array that is not a sum expression, we can convert it to a sum:

(     ((name.map),(weight.9),(value.150))
      ((name.compass),(weight.13),(value.35))
      ((name.water),(weight.153),(value.200))
      ((name.sandwich),(weight.50),(value.60))
      ((name.glucose),(weight.15),(value.60))
  : ?array
& ( reverse
  =   e A
    .   :?A
      & whl'(!arg:%?e ?arg&!e !A:?A)
      & !A
  )
& out$("Array before sorting:" !array \n)
& 0:?sum
&   whl
  ' (!array:%?element ?array&!element+!sum:?sum)
&   whl
  ' (!sum:%?element+?sum&!element !array:?array)
& out$("Array after sorting (descending order):" !array \n)
& out$("Array after sorting (ascending order):" reverse$!array \n)
);

Output:

  Array before sorting:
  ((name.map),(weight.9),(value.150))
  ((name.compass),(weight.13),(value.35))
  ((name.water),(weight.153),(value.200))
  ((name.sandwich),(weight.50),(value.60))
  ((name.glucose),(weight.15),(value.60))


  Array after sorting (descending order):
  ((name.water),(weight.153),(value.200))
  ((name.sandwich),(weight.50),(value.60))
  ((name.map),(weight.9),(value.150))
  ((name.glucose),(weight.15),(value.60))
  ((name.compass),(weight.13),(value.35))


  Array after sorting (ascending order):
  ((name.compass),(weight.13),(value.35))
  ((name.glucose),(weight.15),(value.60))
  ((name.map),(weight.9),(value.150))
  ((name.sandwich),(weight.50),(value.60))
  ((name.water),(weight.153),(value.200))

Bracmat has a left to right sorting order. If an array must be sorted on another field than the first field, that other field has to be made the first field. After sorting, the fields can take their original positions.

(     (Joe,5531)
      (Adam,2341)
      (Bernie,122)
      (Walter,1234)
      (David,19)
  : ?array
& 0:?sum
&   whl
  ' ( !array:(?car,?cdr) ?array
    & (!cdr.!car)+!sum:?sum
    )
&   whl
  ' ( !sum:(?car.?cdr)+?sum
    & (!cdr,!car) !array:?array
    )
& out$("Array after sorting on second field (descending order):" !array \n)
&   out
  $ ( "Array after sorting on second field (ascending order):"
      reverse$!array
      \n
    )
);

Output:

  Array after sorting on second field (descending order):
  (Joe,5531)
  (Adam,2341)
  (Walter,1234)
  (Bernie,122)
  (David,19)


  Array after sorting on second field (ascending order):
  (David,19)
  (Bernie,122)
  (Walter,1234)
  (Adam,2341)
  (Joe,5531)

C

Using qsort, from the standard library.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <ctype.h>

typedef struct twoStringsStruct {
    char * key, *value;
} sTwoStrings;
 
int ord( char v )
{
    static char *dgts = "012345679";
    char *cp;
    for (cp=dgts; v != *cp; cp++);
    return (cp-dgts);
}

int cmprStrgs(const sTwoStrings *s1,const sTwoStrings *s2)
{
    char *p1 = s1->key; 
    char *p2 = s2->key;
    char *mrk1, *mrk2;
    while ((tolower(*p1) == tolower(*p2)) && *p1) { p1++; p2++;}
    if (isdigit(*p1) && isdigit(*p2)) {
        long v1, v2;
        if ((*p1 == '0') ||(*p2 == '0')) {
            while (p1 > s1->key) {
                p1--; p2--;
                if (*p1 != '0') break;
            }
            if (!isdigit(*p1)) {
                p1++; p2++;
            }
        }
        mrk1 = p1; mrk2 = p2;
        v1 = 0;
        while(isdigit(*p1)) {
            v1 = 10*v1+ord(*p1);
            p1++;
        }
        v2 = 0;
        while(isdigit(*p2)) {
            v2 = 10*v2+ord(*p2);
            p2++;
        }
        if (v1 == v2) 
           return(p2-mrk2)-(p1-mrk1);
        return v1 - v2;
    }
    if (tolower(*p1) != tolower(*p2))
       return (tolower(*p1) - tolower(*p2));
    for(p1=s1->key, p2=s2->key; (*p1 == *p2) && *p1; p1++, p2++);
    return (*p1 -*p2);
}

int maxstrlen( char *a, char *b)
{
	int la = strlen(a);
	int lb = strlen(b);
	return (la>lb)? la : lb;
}

int main()
{
    sTwoStrings toBsorted[] = {
        { "Beta11a", "many" },
        { "alpha1", "This" },
        { "Betamax", "sorted." },
        { "beta3", "order" },
        { "beta11a", "strings" },
        { "beta001", "is" },
        { "beta11", "which" },
        { "beta041", "be" },
        { "beta05", "in" },
        { "beta1", "the" },
        { "beta40", "should" },
    };
#define ASIZE (sizeof(toBsorted)/sizeof(sTwoStrings))
    int k, maxlens[ASIZE];
    char format[12];
    sTwoStrings *cp;

    qsort( (void*)toBsorted, ASIZE, sizeof(sTwoStrings),cmprStrgs); 

    for (k=0,cp=toBsorted; k < ASIZE; k++,cp++) {
        maxlens[k] = maxstrlen(cp->key, cp->value);   
        sprintf(format," %%-%ds", maxlens[k]);
        printf(format, toBsorted[k].value);
	}
    printf("\n");
    for (k=0; k < ASIZE; k++) {
        sprintf(format," %%-%ds", maxlens[k]);
        printf(format, toBsorted[k].key);
	}
    printf("\n");

  return 0;
}

Output:

   This      is   the order     in  which    many strings should      be sorted.
 alpha1 beta001 beta1 beta3 beta05 beta11 Beta11a beta11a beta40 beta041 Betamax

C#

Works with: C# version 3+

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;

class Program
{        
    struct Entry
    {
        public Entry(string name, double value) { Name = name; Value = value; }
        public string Name;
        public double Value;
    }

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var Elements = new List<Entry>
        {
            new Entry("Krypton", 83.798), new Entry("Beryllium", 9.012182), new Entry("Silicon", 28.0855),
            new Entry("Cobalt", 58.933195), new Entry("Selenium", 78.96), new Entry("Germanium", 72.64)
        };

        var sortedElements = Elements.OrderBy(e => e.Name);

        foreach (Entry e in sortedElements)
            Console.WriteLine("{0,-11}{1}", e.Name, e.Value);
    }
}

Output:

Beryllium  9.012182
Cobalt     58.933195
Germanium  72.64
Krypton    83.798
Selenium   78.96
Silicon    28.0855

C++

Uses C++11. Compile with

g++ -std=c++11 sort.cpp

#include <algorithm>
#include <iostream>
#include <string>

struct entry {
  std::string name;
  std::string value;
};

int main() {
  entry array[] = { { "grass", "green" }, { "snow", "white" },
                    { "sky", "blue" }, { "cherry", "red" } };

  std::cout << "Before sorting:\n";
  for (const auto &e : array) {
    std::cout << "{" << e.name << ", " << e.value << "}\n";
  }

  std::sort(std::begin(array), std::end(array), 
            [](const entry & a, const entry & b) {
    return a.name < b.name;
  });

  std::cout << "After sorting:\n";
  for (const auto &e : array) {
    std::cout << "{" << e.name << ", " << e.value << "}\n";
  }
}

Output:

Before sorting:
{grass, green}
{snow, white}
{sky, blue}
{cherry, red}
After sorting:
{cherry, red}
{grass, green}
{sky, blue}
{snow, white}

Clojure

Clojure has a sort-by function which takes a keyfn and a coll. It returns a sorted sequence of the items in coll, where the sort order is determined by comparing (keyfn item).

;; Gathered with Google Squared
(def *langs* [["Clojure" 2007] ["Common Lisp" 1984] ["Java" 1995] ["Haskell" 1990]
              ["Lisp" 1958] ["Scheme" 1975]])

user> (sort-by second *langs*) ; using a keyfn

(["Lisp" 1958] ["Scheme" 1975] ["Common Lisp" 1984] ["Haskell" 1990] ["Java" 1995] ["Clojure" 2007])

You can also supply a comparator (using compare or a sibling of <). A comparator can be used with the regular sort function or the sort-by function. In the latter case, the comparator will be used on (keyfn item) instead of item.

user> (sort #(compare (second %1) (second %2)) *langs*) ; using a comparator

(["Lisp" 1958] ["Scheme" 1975] ["Common Lisp" 1984] ["Haskell" 1990] ["Java" 1995] ["Clojure" 2007])

user> (sort-by second > *langs*) ; using a keyfn and a comparator

(["Clojure" 2007] ["Java" 1995] ["Haskell" 1990] ["Common Lisp" 1984] ["Scheme" 1975] ["Lisp" 1958])

Read the docstring of sort and sort-by for more info.

Common Lisp

In Common Lisp, the sort function takes a predicate that is used as the comparator. This parameter can be any two-argument function. Additionally, the sort function can take a keyword argument :key whose result is passed to the predicate.

Let's define a composite structure of U.S. states and average test scores.

CL-USER> (defparameter *test-scores* '(("texas" 68.9) ("ohio" 87.8) ("california" 76.2) ("new york" 88.2)) )
*TEST-SCORES*

We can sort by the state name by supplying a one-argument key function that is called by the sort function to determine the value to compare. In this case, the function is first will retrieve the state name:

CL-USER> (sort (copy-list *test-scores*) #'string-lessp :key #'first)
(("california" 76.2) ("new york" 88.2) ("ohio" 87.8) ("texas" 68.9))

we can also sort by the test scores by supplying a different key function that return the test score instead:

CL-USER> (sort (copy-list *test-scores*) #'< :key #'second)
(("texas" 68.9) ("california" 76.2) ("ohio" 87.8) ("new york" 88.2))

D

import std.stdio, std.algorithm;

struct Pair { string name, value; }

void main() {
    Pair[] pairs = [{"Joe",    "5531"},
                    {"Adam",   "2341"},
                    {"Bernie",  "122"},
                    {"Walter", "1234"},
                    {"David",    "19"}];

    pairs.schwartzSort!q{ a.name }.writeln;
}

Output:

[Pair("Adam", "2341"), Pair("Bernie", "122"), Pair("David", "19"), Pair("Joe", "5531"), Pair("Walter", "1234")]

Delphi

program SortCompositeStructures;

{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}

uses SysUtils, Generics.Collections, Generics.Defaults;

type
  TStructurePair = record
    name: string;
    value: string;
    constructor Create(const aName, aValue: string);
  end;

constructor TStructurePair.Create(const aName, aValue: string);
begin
  name := aName;
  value := aValue;
end;

var
  lArray: array of TStructurePair;
begin
  SetLength(lArray, 3);
  lArray[0] := TStructurePair.Create('dog', 'rex');
  lArray[1] := TStructurePair.Create('cat', 'simba');
  lArray[2] := TStructurePair.Create('horse', 'trigger');

  TArray.Sort<TStructurePair>(lArray , TDelegatedComparer<TStructurePair>.Construct(
  function(const Left, Right: TStructurePair): Integer
  begin
    Result := CompareText(Left.Name, Right.Name);
  end));
end.

DuckDB

Works with: DuckDB version V1.1

Works with: DuckDB version V1.0

The first section below shows the results of running the program at #SQL, without any alterations. This illustrates the use of tables.

DuckDB supports several other composite structures suitable for representing pairs, notably named structs and JSON. The second section below uses JSON as an illustration.

Tables

create table pairs (name varchar(16), value varchar(16));
insert into pairs values ('Fluffy', 'cat');
insert into pairs values ('Fido', 'dog');
insert into pairs values ('Francis', 'fish');
-- order them by name
select * from pairs order by name;

Output:

┌─────────┬─────────┐
│  name   │  value  │
│ varchar │ varchar │
├─────────┼─────────┤
│ Fido    │ dog     │
│ Fluffy  │ cat     │
│ Francis │ fish    │
└─────────┴─────────┘

JSON

Let's suppose the name/value data shown above has been translated to JSON and is available in a file having one object per row.

Here's a typescript showing how we can first copy the file into a JSON-valued column of a table, and then formulate the SQL query to accomplish the task. "D " signifies the DuckDB prompt.

D CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE pairs (j JSON);
  INSERT INTO pairs 
    select column0::JSON as json from read_csv('pairs.json', header=false, sep='\t');

D from pairs;
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│                 j                 │
│               json                │
├───────────────────────────────────┤
│ {"name":"Fido","value":"dog"}     │
│ {"name":"Fluffy","value":"cat"}   │
│ {"name":"Francis","value":"fish"} │
└───────────────────────────────────┘

# To complete the task we could write:
# from pairs order by j.name;
# or equivalently:
D from pairs order by j ->> 'name';
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│                 j                 │
│               json                │
├───────────────────────────────────┤
│ {"name":"Fido","value":"dog"}     │
│ {"name":"Fluffy","value":"cat"}   │
│ {"name":"Francis","value":"fish"} │
└───────────────────────────────────┘

E

def compareBy(keyfn) { # This ought to be in the standard library
  return def comparer(a, b) {
    return keyfn(a).op__cmp(keyfn(b))
  }
}

def x := [
  ["Joe",3],
  ["Bill",4],
  ["Alice",20],
  ["Harry",3],
]

println(x.sort(compareBy(fn [name,_] { name })))

EchoLisp

;; sorting (name value) by name - Ignoring case
(define (name a) (first a))
(define( sort-proc a b)
    (string-ci<? (name a) (name b)))

(define people 
   '(("😎" -42) ("albert" 33) ("Simone" 44) ("Antoinette" 42) ("elvis" 666) ("😃" 1000)))

(list-sort sort-proc people)
   → (("albert" 33) ("Antoinette" 42) ("elvis" 666) ("Simone" 44) ("😃" 1000) ("😎" -42))

Elena

ELENA 6.x :

import system'routines;
import extensions;
 
public program()
{
    var elements := new object[]{
            KeyValue.new("Krypton", 83.798r),
            KeyValue.new("Beryllium", 9.012182r),
            KeyValue.new("Silicon", 28.0855r),
            KeyValue.new("Cobalt", 58.933195r),
            KeyValue.new("Selenium", 78.96r),
            KeyValue.new("Germanium", 72.64r)};
 
    var sorted := elements.sort::(former,later => former.Key < later.Key );
 
    sorted.forEach::(element)
    {
         console.printLine(element.Key," - ",element)
    }
}

Elixir

defmodule Person do
  defstruct name: "", value: 0
end

list = [struct(Person, [name: "Joe", value: 3]),
        struct(Person, [name: "Bill", value: 4]),
        struct(Person, [name: "Alice", value: 20]),
        struct(Person, [name: "Harry", value: 3])]

Enum.sort(list) |> Enum.each(fn x -> IO.inspect x end)
IO.puts ""
Enum.sort_by(list, &(&1.value)) |> Enum.each(&IO.inspect &1)

Output:

%Person{name: "Alice", value: 20}
%Person{name: "Bill", value: 4}
%Person{name: "Harry", value: 3}
%Person{name: "Joe", value: 3}

%Person{name: "Joe", value: 3}
%Person{name: "Harry", value: 3}
%Person{name: "Bill", value: 4}
%Person{name: "Alice", value: 20}

Erlang

Any Erlang type can be compared to any Erlang type. As such, nothing special needs to be done:

1> lists:sort([{{2006,2007},"Ducks"},
               {{2000,2001},"Avalanche"},
               {{2002,2003},"Devils"},
               {{2001,2002},"Red Wings"},
               {{2003,2004},"Lightning"},
               {{2004,2005},"N/A: lockout"},
               {{2005,2006},"Hurricanes"},
               {{1999,2000},"Devils"},
               {{2007,2008},"Red Wings"},
               {{2008,2009},"Penguins"}]).
[{{1999,2000},"Devils"},
 {{2000,2001},"Avalanche"},
 {{2001,2002},"Red Wings"},
 {{2002,2003},"Devils"},
 {{2003,2004},"Lightning"},
 {{2004,2005},"N/A: lockout"},
 {{2005,2006},"Hurricanes"},
 {{2006,2007},"Ducks"},
 {{2007,2008},"Red Wings"},
 {{2008,2009},"Penguins"}]

It is also possible to sort with custom functions, in this case by the team's name:

2> F = fun({_,X},{_,Y}) -> X < Y end.   
#Fun<erl_eval.12.113037538>
3> lists:usort(F, [{{2006,2007},"Ducks"},
                   {{2000,2001},"Avalanche"},
                   {{2002,2003},"Devils"},
                   {{2001,2002},"Red Wings"},
                   {{2003,2004},"Lightning"},
                   {{2004,2005},"N/A: lockout"},
                   {{2005,2006},"Hurricanes"},
                   {{1999,2000},"Devils"},
                   {{2007,2008},"Red Wings"},
                   {{2008,2009},"Penguins"}]).
[{{2000,2001},"Avalanche"},
 {{1999,2000},"Devils"},
 {{2002,2003},"Devils"},
 {{2006,2007},"Ducks"},
 {{2005,2006},"Hurricanes"},
 {{2003,2004},"Lightning"},
 {{2004,2005},"N/A: lockout"},
 {{2008,2009},"Penguins"},
 {{2007,2008},"Red Wings"},
 {{2001,2002},"Red Wings"}]

Euphoria

include sort.e
include misc.e

constant NAME = 1
function compare_names(sequence a, sequence b)
    return compare(a[NAME],b[NAME])
end function

sequence s
s = { { "grass",  "green" },
      { "snow",   "white" },
      { "sky",    "blue"  },
      { "cherry", "red"   } }

pretty_print(1,custom_sort(routine_id("compare_names"),s),{2})

Output:

{
  {
    "cherry",
    "red"
  },
  {
    "grass",
    "green"
  },
  {
    "sky",
    "blue"
  },
  {
    "snow",
    "white"
  }
}

F#

F# has sortBy functions that work on collection types for this purpose. An example using an array of pairs:

let persons = [| ("Joe", 120); ("foo", 31); ("bar", 51) |]
Array.sortInPlaceBy fst persons
printfn "%A" persons

Output:

[|("Joe", 120); ("bar", 51); ("foo", 31)|]

An example using a list of records:

type Person = { name:string; id:int }
let persons2 = [{name="Joe"; id=120}; {name="foo"; id=31}; {name="bar"; id=51}]
let sorted = List.sortBy (fun p -> p.id) persons2
for p in sorted do printfn "%A" p

Output:

{name = "foo";
 id = 31;}
{name = "bar";
 id = 51;}
{name = "Joe";
 id = 120;}

Factor

This is essentially the same as Sorting Using a Custom Comparator.

TUPLE: example-pair name value ;

: sort-by-name ( seq -- seq' ) [ [ name>> ] compare ] sort ;

( scratchpad ) { T{ example-pair f "omega" "a" } T{ example-pair f "gamma" "q" } T{ example-pair f "alpha" "z" } } sort-by-name .
{
    T{ example-pair { name "alpha" } { value "z" } }
    T{ example-pair { name "gamma" } { value "q" } }
    T{ example-pair { name "omega" } { value "a" } }
}

Fantom

Any object can be sorted as needed by passing an appropriate block to the 'sort' method.

class Pair // create a composite structure
{
  Str name
  Str value
  new make (Str name, Str value)
  {
    this.name = name
    this.value = value
  }

  override Str toStr () 
  {
    "(Pair: $name, $value)"
  }
}

class Main
{
  public static Void main ()
  {
    // samples
    pairs := [Pair("Fantom", "OO"), Pair("Clojure", "Functional"), Pair("Java", "OO") ]

    sorted := pairs.dup // make a copy of original list 
    sorted.sort |Pair a, Pair b -> Int|  // sort using custom comparator
    {
      a.name <=> b.name
    }
    echo ("Started with : " + pairs.join(" "))
    echo ("Finished with: " + sorted.join(" "))
  }
}

Fortran

Works with: Fortran version 90 and later

Standard Fortran has no built-in sort function although some compilers add them. The following example uses an insertion sort.

PROGRAM EXAMPLE
  IMPLICIT NONE  

  TYPE Pair
    CHARACTER(6) :: name
    CHARACTER(1) :: value
  END TYPE Pair

  TYPE(Pair) :: rcc(10), temp
  INTEGER :: i, j

  rcc(1) = Pair("Black", "0")
  rcc(2) = Pair("Brown", "1")
  rcc(3) = Pair("Red", "2")
  rcc(4) = Pair("Orange", "3")
  rcc(5) = Pair("Yellow", "4") 
  rcc(6) = Pair("Green", "5")
  rcc(7) = Pair("Blue", "6")
  rcc(8) = Pair("Violet", "7")
  rcc(9) = Pair("Grey", "8")
  rcc(10) = Pair("White", "9")

  DO i = 2, SIZE(rcc)
     j = i - 1
     temp = rcc(i)
        DO WHILE (j>=1 .AND. LGT(rcc(j)%name, temp%name))
           rcc(j+1) = rcc(j)
           j = j - 1
        END DO
     rcc(j+1) = temp
  END DO

  WRITE (*,"(2A6)") rcc

END PROGRAM EXAMPLE

Output

Black      0
Blue       6
Brown      1
Green      5
Grey       8
Orange     3
Red        2
Violet     7
White      9
Yellow     4

FreeBASIC

' FB 1.05.0 Win64

Type Pair
  As String name, value
  Declare Constructor(name_ As String, value_ As String)
  Declare Operator Cast() As String
End Type

Constructor Pair(name_ As String, value_ As String)
  name  = name_
  value = value_
End Constructor

Operator Pair.Cast() As String
  Return "[" + name + ", " + value + "]"
End Operator

' selection sort, quick enough for sorting small number of pairs
Sub sortPairsByName(p() As Pair)
  Dim As Integer i, j, m
  For i = LBound(p) To UBound(p) - 1
    m = i
    For j = i + 1 To UBound(p)
      If p(j).name < p(m).name Then m = j
    Next j
    If m <> i Then Swap p(i), p(m)
  Next i
End Sub

Dim As Pair pairs(1 To 4) = _
{ _
  Pair("grass", "green"), _ 
  Pair("snow", "white" ), _
  Pair("sky", "blue"),    _
  Pair("cherry", "red")   _
}

Print "Before sorting :"
For i As Integer = 1 To 4
  Print Tab(3); pairs(i)
Next

sortPairsByName pairs()

Print
Print "After sorting by name :"
For i As Integer = 1 To 4
  Print Tab(3); pairs(i)
Next

Print
Print "Press any key to quit"
Sleep

Output:

Before sorting :
  [grass, green]
  [snow, white]
  [sky, blue]
  [cherry, red]

After sorting by name :
  [cherry, red]
  [grass, green]
  [sky, blue]
  [snow, white]

Frink

Frink's lexicalCompare[a, b, language] function can sort strings in a lexicographically correct way for many human languages by specifying a language specifier like "da" for Danish. This allows sort routines to magically work correctly for many human languages.

class Pair
{
   var name
   var value
   
   new[name is string, value is string] :=
   {
      this.name = name
      this.value = value
   }
}

a = [new Pair["one", "1"], new Pair["two", "2"], new Pair["three", "3"]]
sort[a, {|a,b| lexicalCompare[a.name, b.name]}]

Output:

[Pair
{
   name = one
   value = 1
}
, Pair
{
   name = three
   value = 3
}
, Pair
{
   name = two
   value = 2
}
]

FutureBasic

void local fn DoIt
  CFArrayRef x = @[
  @{@"name":@"07-01",@"value":@"The Times They Are A-Changin'"},
  @{@"name":@"05-08",@"value":@"Mr. Tambourine Man"},
  @{@"name":@"06-09",@"value":@"Desolation Row"},
  @{@"name":@"02-01",@"value":@"Blowin' In The Wind"},
  @{@"name":@"04-04",@"value":@"Chimes Of Freedom"},
  @{@"name":@"07-07",@"value":@"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat"},
  @{@"name":@"06-01",@"value":@"Like A Rolling Stone"},
  @{@"name":@"01-12",@"value":@"Song To Woody"},
  @{@"name":@"07-03",@"value":@"Visions Of Johanna"},
  @{@"name":@"02-06",@"value":@"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"}]
  
  SortDescriptorRef sd = fn SortDescriptorWithKey( @"name", YES )
  CFArrayRef array = fn ArraySortedArrayUsingDescriptors( x, @[sd] )
  for CFDictionaryRef pair in array
    print pair[@"name"],pair[@"value"]
  next
end fn

fn DoIt

HandleEvents

Output:

01-12	Song To Woody
02-01	Blowin' In The Wind
02-06	A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
04-04	Chimes Of Freedom
05-08	Mr. Tambourine Man
06-01	Like A Rolling Stone
06-09	Desolation Row
07-01	The Times They Are A-Changin'
07-03	Visions Of Johanna
07-07	Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Fōrmulæ

Fōrmulæ programs are not textual, visualization/edition of programs is done showing/manipulating structures but not text. Moreover, there can be multiple visual representations of the same program. Even though it is possible to have textual representation —i.e. XML, JSON— they are intended for storage and transfer purposes more than visualization and edition.

Programs in Fōrmulæ are created/edited online in its website.

In this page you can see and run the program(s) related to this task and their results. You can also change either the programs or the parameters they are called with, for experimentation, but remember that these programs were created with the main purpose of showing a clear solution of the task, and they generally lack any kind of validation.

Solution

In the following example, it is assumed that the key is the first element of each pair.

Go

package main

import (
    "fmt"
    "sort"
)

type pair struct {
    name, value string
}
type csArray []pair

// three methods satisfy sort.Interface
func (a csArray) Less(i, j int) bool { return a[i].name < a[j].name }
func (a csArray) Len() int           { return len(a) }
func (a csArray) Swap(i, j int)      { a[i], a[j] = a[j], a[i] }

var x = csArray{
    pair{"joe", "120"},
    pair{"foo", "31"},
    pair{"bar", "251"},
}

func main() {
    sort.Sort(x)
    for _, p := range x {
        fmt.Printf("%5s: %s\n", p.name, p.value)
    }
}

Groovy

class Holiday {
    def date
    def name
    Holiday(dateStr, name) { this.name = name; this.date = format.parse(dateStr) }
    String toString() { "${format.format date}: ${name}" }
    static format = new java.text.SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd")
}

def holidays = [ new Holiday("2009-12-25", "Christmas Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-04-22", "Earth Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-09-07", "Labor Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-07-04", "Independence Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-10-31", "Halloween"),
                 new Holiday("2009-05-25", "Memorial Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-03-14", "PI Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-01-01", "New Year's Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-12-31", "New Year's Eve"),
                 new Holiday("2009-11-26", "Thanksgiving"),
                 new Holiday("2009-02-14", "St. Valentine's Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-03-17", "St. Patrick's Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-01-19", "Martin Luther King Day"),
                 new Holiday("2009-02-16", "President's Day") ]

holidays.sort { x, y -> x.date <=> y.date }
holidays.each { println it }

Output:

2009-01-01: New Year's Day
2009-01-19: Martin Luther King Day
2009-02-14: St. Valentine's Day
2009-02-16: President's Day
2009-03-14: PI Day
2009-03-17: St. Patrick's Day
2009-04-22: Earth Day
2009-05-25: Memorial Day
2009-07-04: Independence Day
2009-09-07: Labor Day
2009-10-31: Halloween
2009-11-26: Thanksgiving
2009-12-25: Christmas Day
2009-12-31: New Year's Eve

Haskell

import Data.List
import Data.Function (on)

data Person =
  P String
    Int
  deriving (Eq)

instance Show Person where
  show (P name val) = "Person " ++ name ++ " with value " ++ show val

instance Ord Person where
  compare (P a _) (P b _) = compare a b

pVal :: Person -> Int
pVal (P _ x) = x

people :: [Person]
people = [P "Joe" 12, P "Bob" 8, P "Alice" 9, P "Harry" 2]


main :: IO ()
main = do
  mapM_ print $ sort people
  putStrLn []
  mapM_ print $ sortBy (on compare pVal) people

Output:

Person Alice with value 9
Person Bob with value 8
Person Harry with value 2
Person Joe with value 12

Person Harry with value 2
Person Bob with value 8
Person Alice with value 9
Person Joe with value 12

More generally, sortBy takes any (a -> a -> Ordering) function as its first argument. A function of this kind can be derived from a simpler (b -> a) function using the higher order comparing function.

To sort a list of triples by the third element, for example:

import Data.Ord (comparing)
import Data.List (sortBy)

xs :: [(String, String, Int)]
xs =
  zip3
    (words "Richard John Marvin Alan Maurice James")
    (words "Hamming McCarthy Minskey Perlis Wilkes Wilkinson")
    [1915, 1927, 1926, 1922, 1913, 1919]

main :: IO ()
main = mapM_ print $ sortBy (comparing (\(_, _, y) -> y)) xs

Output:

("Maurice","Wilkes",1913)
("Richard","Hamming",1915)
("James","Wilkinson",1919)
("Alan","Perlis",1922)
("Marvin","Minskey",1926)
("John","McCarthy",1927)

Icon and Unicon

The built-in procedure sortf will sort a list by the field in a records.

record star(name,HIP)

procedure main()

Ori := [ star("Betelgeuse",27989),
         star("Rigel",24436),
         star("Belatrix", 25336),
         star("Alnilam",26311) ]

write("Some Orion stars by HIP#")
every write( (x := !sortf(Ori,2)).name, " HIP ",x.HIP)
end

Sample output:

Some Orion stars by HIP#
Rigel HIP 24436
Belatrix HIP 25336
Alnilam HIP 26311
Betelgeuse HIP 27989

J

The function /: sorts anything (its left argument) based on the keys supplied in its right argument. For example:

   names =: ;: 'Perlis Wilkes Hamming Minsky Wilkinson McCarthy'
   values=: ;: 'Alan Maurice Richard Marvin James John'
   pairs =: values ,. names
   pairs /: names
+-------+---------+
|Richard|Hamming  |
+-------+---------+
|John   |McCarthy |
+-------+---------+
|Marvin |Minsky   |
+-------+---------+
|Alan   |Perlis   |
+-------+---------+
|Maurice|Wilkes   |
+-------+---------+
|James  |Wilkinson|
+-------+---------+

Alternatively, J's cross operator will use the same values for both the left and right arguments for /: but, in this case, /:~ is not desirable because that would have us sorting on the values (the first column) and only using the second column for equal names (none of which appear, here).

Java

import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.Comparator;

public class SortComp {
    public static class Pair {
        public String name;
        public String value;
        public Pair(String n, String v) {
            name = n;
            value = v;
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Pair[] pairs = {new Pair("06-07", "Ducks"), new Pair("00-01", "Avalanche"),
            new Pair("02-03", "Devils"), new Pair("01-02", "Red Wings"),
            new Pair("03-04", "Lightning"), new Pair("04-05", "lockout"),
            new Pair("05-06", "Hurricanes"), new Pair("99-00", "Devils"),
            new Pair("07-08", "Red Wings"), new Pair("08-09", "Penguins")};

        sortByName(pairs);
        for (Pair p : pairs) {
            System.out.println(p.name + " " + p.value);
        }
    }

    public static void sortByName(Pair[] pairs) {
        Arrays.sort(pairs, new Comparator<Pair>() {
            public int compare(Pair p1, Pair p2) {
                return p1.name.compareTo(p2.name);
            }
        });
    }
}

Output:

00-01 Avalanche
01-02 Red Wings
02-03 Devils
03-04 Lightning
04-05 lockout
05-06 Hurricanes
06-07 Ducks
07-08 Red Wings
08-09 Penguins
99-00 Devils

In Java 8, we can write the above using a lambda:

Works with: Java version 8+

    public static void sortByName(Pair[] pairs) {
        Arrays.sort(pairs, (p1, p2) -> p1.name.compareTo(p2.name));
    }

We can further use Comparator.comparing() to construct the comparator from a "key" function:

Works with: Java version 8+

    public static void sortByName(Pair[] pairs) {
        Arrays.sort(pairs, Comparator.comparing(p -> p.name));
    }

JavaScript

ES5

var arr = [
  {id: 3, value: "foo"},
  {id: 2, value: "bar"},
  {id: 4, value: "baz"},
  {id: 1, value: 42},
  {id: 5, something: "another string"} // Works with any object declaring 'id' as a number.
];
arr = arr.sort(function(a, b) {return a.id - b.id}); // Sort with comparator checking the id.

ES6

(() => {
    'use strict';

    // GENERIC FUNCTIONS FOR COMPARISONS

    // compare :: a -> a -> Ordering
    const compare = (a, b) => a < b ? -1 : (a > b ? 1 : 0);

    // on :: (b -> b -> c) -> (a -> b) -> a -> a -> c
    const on = (f, g) => (a, b) => f(g(a), g(b));

    // flip :: (a -> b -> c) -> b -> a -> c
    const flip = f => (a, b) => f.apply(null, [b, a]);

    // arrayCopy :: [a] -> [a]
    const arrayCopy = (xs) => xs.slice(0);

    // show :: a -> String
    const show = x => JSON.stringify(x, null, 2);


    // TEST
    const xs = [{
        name: 'Shanghai',
        pop: 24.2
    }, {
        name: 'Karachi',
        pop: 23.5
    }, {
        name: 'Beijing',
        pop: 21.5
    }, {
        name: 'Sao Paulo',
        pop: 24.2
    }, {
        name: 'Dhaka',
        pop: 17.0
    }, {
        name: 'Delhi',
        pop: 16.8
    }, {
        name: 'Lagos',
        pop: 16.1
    }]

    // population :: Dictionary -> Num
    const population = x => x.pop;

    // name :: Dictionary -> String
    const name = x => x.name;

    return show({
        byPopulation: arrayCopy(xs)
            .sort(on(compare, population)),
        byDescendingPopulation: arrayCopy(xs)
            .sort(on(flip(compare), population)),
        byName: arrayCopy(xs)
            .sort(on(compare, name)),
        byDescendingName: arrayCopy(xs)
            .sort(on(flip(compare), name))
    });
})();

Output:

{
  "byPopulation": [
    {
      "name": "Lagos",
      "pop": 16.1
    },
    {
      "name": "Delhi",
      "pop": 16.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Dhaka",
      "pop": 17
    },
    {
      "name": "Beijing",
      "pop": 21.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Karachi",
      "pop": 23.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Shanghai",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Sao Paulo",
      "pop": 24.2
    }
  ],
  "byDescendingPopulation": [
    {
      "name": "Shanghai",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Sao Paulo",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Karachi",
      "pop": 23.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Beijing",
      "pop": 21.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Dhaka",
      "pop": 17
    },
    {
      "name": "Delhi",
      "pop": 16.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Lagos",
      "pop": 16.1
    }
  ],
  "byName": [
    {
      "name": "Beijing",
      "pop": 21.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Delhi",
      "pop": 16.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Dhaka",
      "pop": 17
    },
    {
      "name": "Karachi",
      "pop": 23.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Lagos",
      "pop": 16.1
    },
    {
      "name": "Sao Paulo",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Shanghai",
      "pop": 24.2
    }
  ],
  "byDescendingName": [
    {
      "name": "Shanghai",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Sao Paulo",
      "pop": 24.2
    },
    {
      "name": "Lagos",
      "pop": 16.1
    },
    {
      "name": "Karachi",
      "pop": 23.5
    },
    {
      "name": "Dhaka",
      "pop": 17
    },
    {
      "name": "Delhi",
      "pop": 16.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Beijing",
      "pop": 21.5
    }
  ]
}

jq

In this section we will focus on JSON objects since the task description mentions keys. As an example, we will use this array:

def example:
 [
  {"name": "Joe", "value": 3},
  {"name": "Bill", "value": 4},
  {"name": "Alice", "value": 20},
  {"name": "Harry", "value": 3}
 ];

Using sort_by builtin

jq's sort_by builtin can be used to sort by the value of a given key (whether or not it is a string), so we will first use that.

# To sort the array:
# example | sort_by(.name)

# To abbreviate the results, we will just show the names after sorting:

example | sort_by(.name) | map( .name )

Output:

$ jq -n -c -f Sort_an_array_of_composite_structures.jq
["Alice","Bill","Harry","Joe"]

Using quicksort(cmp)

sort_by(f) can easily be implemented using quicksort(cmp) as defined at Sorting_Using_a_Custom_Comparator#jq as follows:

def quicksort_by(f): quicksort( (.[0]|f) <= (.[1]|f) );

Example:

example | quicksort_by(.name) | map( .name )

Output:

As above.

Julia

Works with: Julia version 0.6

lst = Pair[Pair("gold", "shiny"),
           Pair("neon", "inert"),
           Pair("sulphur", "yellow"),
           Pair("iron", "magnetic"),
           Pair("zebra", "striped"),
           Pair("star", "brilliant"),
           Pair("apple", "tasty"),
           Pair("ruby", "red"),
           Pair("dice", "random"),
           Pair("coffee", "stimulating"),
           Pair("book", "interesting")]

println("The original list: \n - ", join(lst, "\n - "))
sort!(lst; by=first)
println("\nThe list, sorted by name: \n - ", join(lst, "\n - "))
sort!(lst; by=last)
println("\nThe list, sorted by value: \n - ", join(lst, "\n - "))

Output:

The original list: 
 - "gold"=>"shiny"
 - "neon"=>"inert"
 - "sulphur"=>"yellow"
 - "iron"=>"magnetic"
 - "zebra"=>"striped"
 - "star"=>"brilliant"
 - "apple"=>"tasty"
 - "ruby"=>"red"
 - "dice"=>"random"
 - "coffee"=>"stimulating"
 - "book"=>"interesting"

The list, sorted by name: 
 - "apple"=>"tasty"
 - "book"=>"interesting"
 - "coffee"=>"stimulating"
 - "dice"=>"random"
 - "gold"=>"shiny"
 - "iron"=>"magnetic"
 - "neon"=>"inert"
 - "ruby"=>"red"
 - "star"=>"brilliant"
 - "sulphur"=>"yellow"
 - "zebra"=>"striped"

The list, sorted by value: 
 - "star"=>"brilliant"
 - "neon"=>"inert"
 - "book"=>"interesting"
 - "iron"=>"magnetic"
 - "dice"=>"random"
 - "ruby"=>"red"
 - "gold"=>"shiny"
 - "coffee"=>"stimulating"
 - "zebra"=>"striped"
 - "apple"=>"tasty"
 - "sulphur"=>"yellow"

Kotlin

// version 1.1

data class Employee(val name: String, var category: String) : Comparable<Employee> {
    override fun compareTo(other: Employee) = this.name.compareTo(other.name)
}

fun main(args: Array<String>) {
    val employees = arrayOf(
        Employee("David", "Manager"),
        Employee("Alice", "Sales"),
        Employee("Joanna", "Director"),
        Employee("Henry", "Admin"),
        Employee("Tim", "Sales"),
        Employee("Juan", "Admin")
    )
    employees.sort()
    for ((name, category) in employees) println("${name.padEnd(6)} : $category")
}

Output:

Alice  : Sales
David  : Manager
Henry  : Admin
Joanna : Director
Juan   : Admin
Tim    : Sales

Lambdatalk

{def H.sort
 {def H.sort.i
  {lambda {:f :x :a}
   {if {A.empty? :a}
    then {A.new :x}
    else {if {:f :x {A.first :a}}
    then {A.addfirst! :x :a}
    else {A.addfirst! {A.first :a} {H.sort.i :f :x {A.rest :a}}} }}}}
 {def H.sort.r
  {lambda {:f :a1 :a2}
   {if {A.empty? :a1}
    then :a2 
    else {H.sort.r :f {A.rest :a1} {H.sort.i :f {A.first :a1} :a2}} }}}
 {lambda {:f :a}
  {H.sort.r :f :a {A.new}} }}
-> H.sort

{def H.display
 {lambda {:h}
  {table
   {tr {S.map {{lambda {:h :i} {td {car {A.get :i :h}}}} :h}
              {S.serie 0 {- {A.length :h} 1}}}}
   {tr {S.map {{lambda {:h :i} {td {cdr {A.get :i :h}}}} :h}
              {S.serie 0 {- {A.length :h} 1}}}}
}}}
-> H.display

1) an array of pairs:
{def H {A.new {cons Joe 5531}
              {cons Adam 2341}
              {cons Bernie 122} 
              {cons Walter 1234}
              {cons David 19}}}
-> H

2) display sorted by names:
{H.display
 {H.sort {lambda {:a :b} {< {lexicographic {car :a} {car :b}} 0}} {H}}}
-> 
Adam 	Bernie 	David 	Joe 	Walter
 2341 	122 	19 	5531 	1234

3) display sorted by values:
{H.display
 {H.sort {lambda {:a :b} {< {cdr :a} {cdr :b}}} {H}}}
-> 
David 	Bernie 	Walter 	Adam 	Joe
 19 	122 	1234 	2341 	5531

Liberty BASIC

NB LB sorts in a non standard order. See http://libertybasicbugs.wikispaces.com/Comparison+of+characters+and+strings+is+not+ASCII+based
The method used here to simulate a compound structure can only hold pairs of terms, since LB arrays ar 1D or 2D. More complicated associated arrays could be stored in delimiter-separated string arrays.

N =20
dim IntArray$( N, 2)

print "Original order"
for i =1 to N
    name$ =mid$( "SortArrayOfCompositeStructures", int( 25 *rnd( 1)), 1 +int( 4 *rnd( 1)))
    IntArray$( i, 1) =name$
    print name$,
    t$ =str$( int( 1000 *rnd( 1)))
    IntArray$( i, 2) =t$
    print t$
next i

sort IntArray$(), 1, N, 1
print "Sorted by name"  ' (  we specified column 1)
for i =1 to N
    print IntArray$( i, 1), IntArray$( i, 2)
next i

Lua

function sorting( a, b ) 
    return a[1] < b[1] 
end
 
tab = { {"C++", 1979}, {"Ada", 1983}, {"Ruby", 1995}, {"Eiffel", 1985} }

table.sort( tab, sorting )
for _, v in ipairs( tab ) do 
    print( unpack(v) ) 
end

M2000 Interpreter

Sort_an_array_of_composite_structures, keys can be the same

Checkit2 make an inventory with keys and values, then sort them (internal use Quicksort, and keys must be unique)

Checkit3 same as CheckIt3 except values are groups, which now have only a x as value, but we can add more.

Added: Sort 2D array with a first column using Strings and a second column using Numbers.

module Sort_an_array_of_composite_structures{
	Class Quick {
	Private:
		module quicksort (&a()) {
			do If Stackitem()>=Stackitem(2) Then Drop 2:if  empty then exit else continue
				over 2,2
				Read p, r : i = p-1 : x=a(r)
				For j=p to r-1:If .LE(a(j), x) Then i++:Swap a(i),a(j)
				Next j : Swap a(i+1), a(r) :  Push  i+2, i:shift 3
			always
		}
	Public:
		// a and b can be strings or numbers
		LE=Lambda (a, b)->a<=b
		// this is final, we can't change it
		Function Final Sort(&a(), a_min, a_max){
			stack new {
				.quicksort &a(), a_min, a_max
			}
		}
	}
	Class item {
		a$, b
	Class:
		module item (.a$, .b) {
		}
	}
	Data item("Joe",   5531)
	Data item("Adam", 2341)
	Data item("Bernie", 122)
	Data item("Walter", 1234)
	Data item("David",  19)
	dim a()
	a()=array([])
	mysort=Quick()
	mysort.LE=lambda (a, b)->a.a$<=b.a$
	REM { ' if we want sort on second field when the first are equal (same key)
		mysort.LE=lambda (a, b)->{
			if a.a$=b.a$ Then
				=a.b<=b.b
			else
				=a.a$<b.a$		
			end if
		}
	}
	print "Unsorted Pairs:"
	gosub display
	print
	call mysort.sort(&a(), 0, len(a())-1)
	print "Sorted Pairs:"
	gosub display
	end
	display:
	for i=0 to len(a())-1
		Print format$("{0:10} {1::-5}", a(i).a$, a(i).b)
	next
	return
}
Sort_an_array_of_composite_structures
Pint
module Checkit2 {
      Inventory Alfa="Joe":=5531, "Adam":=2341, "Bernie":=122
      Append Alfa, "Walter":=1234, "David":=19
      Sort Alfa
      k=Each(Alfa)
      While k {
            Print eval$(Alfa, k^), Eval(k)
      }
}
Checkit2
Print
module Checkit3 {
      class any {
             x
            class:
            Module any (.x) {}
      }
      Inventory Alfa="Joe":=any(5531), "Adam":=any(2341), "Bernie":=any(122)
      Append Alfa, "Walter":=any(1234), "David":=any(19)
      Sort Alfa
      k=Each(Alfa)
      While k {
            ' k^ is the index number by k cursor
            ' Alfa("joe") return object
            ' Alfa(0!) return first element object
            ' Alfa(k^!) return (k^) objext
            Print eval$(Alfa, k^),  Alfa(k^!).x
      }
}
Checkit3

Module Sort2Darray {
	const ascending=0, descending=1
	const Names=0, Rate=1
	flush
	Data "Bernie", 1
	Data "Adam", 2341
	Data "David",  19
	Data "Bernie", 5
	Data "Joe",   5531
	Data "Walter", 1234
	Data "Bernie", 122
	k=stack.size/2
	dim a(k,2)
	Pen 15 {Print "Fill Array"}
	for i=0 to k-1: read a(i,0), a(i,1): next
	Pen 15 {Print "Unsorted"}
	for i=0 to k-1: ? a(i,0), a(i,1): next
	' there is a special sort for 2D arrays
	profiler
	sort a(),0,k-1,Names, ascending, Rate, descending
	print timecount
	Pen 15 {Print "Sorted"}
	for i=0 to k-1: ? a(i,0), a(i,1): next
}
Sort2Darray

Output:

From Checkit (checkit2 and checkit3 show exact sorted inventories)

Unsorted Pairs:
Joe         5531
Adam        2341
Bernie       122
Walter      1234
David         19

Sorted Pairs:
Adam        2341
Bernie       122
David         19
Joe         5531
Walter      1234

Mathematica /Wolfram Language

events = {{"2009-12-25", "Christmas Day"}, {"2009-04-22", 
    "Earth Day"}, {"2009-09-07", "Labor Day"}, {"2009-07-04", 
    "Independence Day"}, {"2009-10-31", "Halloween"}, {"2009-05-25", 
    "Memorial Day"}, {"2009-03-14", "PI Day"}, {"2009-01-01", 
    "New Year's Day"}, {"2009-12-31", 
    "New Year's Eve"}, {"2009-11-26", "Thanksgiving"}, {"2009-02-14", 
    "St. Valentine's Day"}, {"2009-03-17", 
    "St. Patrick's Day"}, {"2009-01-19", 
    "Martin Luther King Day"}, {"2009-02-16", "President's Day"}};
date = 1;
name = 2;
SortBy[events, #[[name]] &] // Grid
SortBy[events, #[[date]] &] // Grid

gives back:

2009-12-25 Christmas Day
2009-04-22 Earth Day
2009-10-31 Halloween
2009-07-04 Independence Day
2009-09-07 Labor Day
2009-01-19 Martin Luther King Day
2009-05-25 Memorial Day
2009-01-01 New Year's Day
2009-12-31 New Year's Eve
2009-03-14 PI Day
2009-02-16 President's Day
2009-03-17 St. Patrick's Day
2009-02-14 St. Valentine's Day
2009-11-26 Thanksgiving


2009-01-01 New Year's Day
2009-01-19 Martin Luther King Day
2009-02-14 St. Valentine's Day
2009-02-16 President's Day
2009-03-14 PI Day
2009-03-17 St. Patrick's Day
2009-04-22 Earth Day
2009-05-25 Memorial Day
2009-07-04 Independence Day
2009-09-07 Labor Day
2009-10-31 Halloween
2009-11-26 Thanksgiving
2009-12-25 Christmas Day
2009-12-31 New Year's Eve

MAXScript

fn keyCmp comp1 comp2 =
(
    case of
    (
        (comp1[1] > comp2[1]):	1
        (comp1[1] < comp2[1]):	-1
        default:		0
    )
)

people = #(#("joe", 39), #("dave", 37), #("bob", 42))
qsort people keyCmp
print people

NetRexx

/* NetRexx */
options replace format comments java crossref symbols nobinary

-- =============================================================================
class RSortCompsiteStructure public

  -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  method main(args = String[]) public static
    places = [ -
      PairBean('London',     'UK'), PairBean('New York',   'US') -
    , PairBean('Boston',     'US'), PairBean('Washington', 'US') -
    , PairBean('Washington', 'UK'), PairBean("Birmingham", 'US') -
    , PairBean("Birmingham", 'UK'), PairBean("Boston",     'UK') -
    ]
    say displayArray(places)
    Arrays.sort(places, PairComparator())
    say displayArray(places)
    return
  
  method displayArray(harry = PairBean[]) constant
    disp = ''
    loop elmt over harry
      disp = disp','elmt
      end elmt
    return '['disp.substr(2)']' -- trim leading comma

-- =============================================================================
class RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean
  properties indirect
    name
    value
  method PairBean(name_, value_) public
    setName(name_)
    setValue(value_)
    return
  method toString() public returns String
    return '('getName()','getValue()')'

-- =============================================================================
class RSortCompsiteStructure.PairComparator implements Comparator
  method compare(lft = Object, rgt = Object) public binary returns int
    cRes = int
    if lft <= RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean, rgt <= RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean then do
      lName = String (RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean lft).getName()
      rName = String (RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean rgt).getName()
      cRes = lName.compareTo(rName)
      if cRes == 0 then do
        lVal = String (RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean lft).getValue()
        rVal = String (RSortCompsiteStructure.PairBean rgt).getValue()
        cRes = lVal.compareTo(rVal)
        end
      end
    else signal IllegalArgumentException('Arguments must be of type PairBean')
    return cRes

Output:

[(London,UK),(New York,US),(Boston,US),(Washington,US),(Washington,UK),(Birmingham,US),(Birmingham,UK),(Boston,UK)]
[(Birmingham,UK),(Birmingham,US),(Boston,UK),(Boston,US),(London,UK),(New York,US),(Washington,UK),(Washington,US)]

Nim

import algorithm, sugar

var people = @{"joe": 120, "foo": 31, "bar": 51}
sort(people, (x,y) => cmp(x[0], y[0]))
echo people

Output:

@[("bar", 51), ("foo", 31), ("joe", 120)]

Objeck

use Collection;

class Entry implements Compare {
  @name : String;
  @value : Float;

  New(name : String, value : Float) {
    @name := name;
    @value := value;
  }

  method : public : Compare(rhs : Compare) ~ Int  {
    return @name->Compare(rhs->As(Entry)->GetName());
  }

  method : public : GetName() ~ String {
    return @name;
  }
  
  method : public : HashID() ~ Int {
    return @name->HashID();
  }

  method : public : ToString() ~ String {
    return "name={$@name}, value={$@value}";
  }
}

class Sorter {
  function : Main(args : String[]) ~ Nil {
    entries := CompareVector->New();
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Krypton", 83.798));
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Beryllium", 9.012182));
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Silicon", 28.0855));
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Cobalt", 58.933195)); 
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Selenium", 78.96));
    entries->AddBack(Entry->New("Germanium", 72.64));

    entries->Sort();
    each(i : entries) {
      entries->Get(i)->As(Entry)->ToString()->PrintLine();
    };
  }
}

name=Beryllium, value=9.12
name=Cobalt, value=58.934
name=Germanium, value=72.640
name=Krypton, value=83.798
name=Selenium, value=78.960
name=Silicon, value=28.85

Objective-C

@interface Pair : NSObject {
    NSString *name;
    NSString *value;
}
+(instancetype)pairWithName:(NSString *)n value:(NSString *)v;
-(instancetype)initWithName:(NSString *)n value:(NSString *)v;
-(NSString *)name;
-(NSString *)value;
@end

@implementation Pair
+(instancetype)pairWithName:(NSString *)n value:(NSString *)v {
    return [[self alloc] initWithName:n value:v];
}
-(instancetype)initWithName:(NSString *)n value:(NSString *)v {
    if ((self = [super init])) {
        name = n;
        value = v;
    }
    return self;
}
-(NSString *)name { return name; }
-(NSString *)value { return value; }
-(NSString *)description {
    return [NSString stringWithFormat:@"< %@ -> %@ >", name, value];
}
@end

int main() {
    @autoreleasepool {

        NSArray *pairs = @[
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"06-07" value:@"Ducks"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"00-01" value:@"Avalanche"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"02-03" value:@"Devils"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"01-02" value:@"Red Wings"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"03-04" value:@"Lightning"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"04-05" value:@"lockout"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"05-06" value:@"Hurricanes"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"99-00" value:@"Devils"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"07-08" value:@"Red Wings"],
                       [Pair pairWithName:@"08-09" value:@"Penguins"]];

        // optional 3rd arg: you can also specify a selector to compare the keys
        NSSortDescriptor *sd = [[NSSortDescriptor alloc] initWithKey:@"name" ascending:YES];

        // it takes an array of sort descriptors, and it will be ordered by the
        // first one, then if it's a tie by the second one, etc.
        NSArray *sorted = [pairs sortedArrayUsingDescriptors:@[sd]];
        NSLog(@"%@", sorted);

    }

    return 0;
}

OCaml

# let people = [("Joe", 12); ("Bob", 8); ("Alice", 9); ("Harry", 2)];;
val people : (string * int) list =
  [("Joe", 12); ("Bob", 8); ("Alice", 9); ("Harry", 2)]
# let sortedPeopleByVal = List.sort (fun (_, v1) (_, v2) -> compare v1 v2) people;;
val sortedPeopleByVal : (string * int) list =
  [("Harry", 2); ("Bob", 8); ("Alice", 9); ("Joe", 12)]

Oforth

[["Joe",5531], ["Adam",2341], ["Bernie",122], ["David",19]] sortBy(#first) println

Output:

[[Adam, 2341], [Bernie, 122], [David, 19], [Joe, 5531]]

Ol

(import (scheme char))

(define (comp a b)
   (string-ci<? (a 'name #f) (b 'name #f)))

(for-each print
   (sort comp (list
      { 'name "David"
        'value "Manager" }
      { 'name "Alice"
        'value "Sales" }
      { 'name "Joanna"
        'value "Director" }
      { 'name "Henry"
        'value "Admin" }
      { 'name "Tim"
        'value "Sales" }
      { 'name "Juan"
        'value "Admin" })))

Output:

#ff((name . Alice) (value . Sales))
#ff((name . David) (value . Manager))
#ff((name . Henry) (value . Admin))
#ff((name . Joanna) (value . Director))
#ff((name . Juan) (value . Admin))
#ff((name . Tim) (value . Sales))

ooRexx

a = .array~new

a~append(.pair~new("06-07", "Ducks"))
a~append(.pair~new("00-01", "Avalanche"))
a~append(.pair~new("02-03", "Devils"))
a~append(.pair~new("01-02", "Red Wings"))
a~append(.pair~new("03-04", "Lightning"))
a~append(.pair~new("04-05", "lockout"))
a~append(.pair~new("05-06", "Hurricanes"))
a~append(.pair~new("99-00", "Devils"))
a~append(.pair~new("07-08", "Red Wings"))
a~append(.pair~new("08-09", "Penguins"))

b = a~copy   -- make a copy before sorting
b~sort
say "Sorted using direct comparison"
do pair over b
   say pair
end

c = a~copy
-- this uses a custom comparator instead
c~sortWith(.paircomparator~new)
say
say "Sorted using a comparator (inverted)"
do pair over c
   say pair
end

-- a name/value mapping class that directly support the sort comparisons
::class pair inherit comparable
::method init
  expose name value
  use strict arg name, value

::attribute name
::attribute value

::method string
  expose name value
  return name "=" value

-- the compareto method is a requirement brought in
-- by the
::method compareto
  expose name
  use strict arg other
  return name~compareto(other~name)

-- a comparator that shows an alternate way of sorting
::class pairComparator subclass comparator
::method compare
  use strict arg left, right
  -- perform the comparison on the names
  return -left~name~compareTo(right~name)

Output:

Sorted using direct comparison
00-01 = Avalanche
01-02 = Red Wings
02-03 = Devils
03-04 = Lightning
04-05 = lockout
05-06 = Hurricanes
06-07 = Ducks
07-08 = Red Wings
08-09 = Penguins
99-00 = Devils

Sorted using a comparator (inverted)
99-00 = Devils
08-09 = Penguins
07-08 = Red Wings
06-07 = Ducks
05-06 = Hurricanes
04-05 = lockout
03-04 = Lightning
02-03 = Devils
01-02 = Red Wings
00-01 = Avalanche

Oz

declare
  People = [person(name:joe value:3)
            person(name:bill value:4)
            person(name:alice value:20)
            person(name:harry value:3)]

  SortedPeople = {Sort People
                  fun {$ P1 P2}
                     P1.name < P2.name
                  end
                 }
in
  {ForAll SortedPeople Show}

PARI/GP

The flag "2" means that lexicographic sorting is to be used; the "1" means that the array is to be sorted using the first element of each constituent vector.

vecsort([["name", "value"],["name2", "value2"]], 1, 2)

Pascal

mergesort example sorts an array of record http://rosettacode.org/wiki/Sorting_algorithms/Merge_sort#improvement

PascalABC.NET

type
  Pair = auto class
    Name,Value: string;
  end;

begin
  var a: array of Pair := (new Pair('ZZZ','333'),new Pair('XXX','222'),new Pair('YYY','111'));
  a.OrderBy(p -> p.Name).Println;
  a.OrderBy(p -> p.Value).Println;
end.

Output:

(XXX,222) (YYY,111) (ZZZ,333)
(YYY,111) (XXX,222) (ZZZ,333)

Perl

Sort by name using cmp to compare strings:

@people = (['joe', 120], ['foo', 31], ['bar', 51]);
@people = sort { $a->[0] cmp $b->[0] } @people;

Sort by number using <=> to compare numbers:

@people = (['joe', 120], ['foo', 31], ['bar', 51]);
@people = sort { $a->[1] <=> $b->[1] } @people;

Phix

Library: Phix/basics

The standard sort compares the first element, then 2nd, 3rd, etc. A custom_sort or sort_columns can be used to sort by other elements.
Elements can be any mix of types, with atoms (ie ints/floats) deemed less than sequences/strings.

sequence s = {{"grass","green"},{"snow","white"},{"sky","blue"},{"cherry","red"},{0,1.2},{3.4,-1}}
 
?sort(s)
function compare_col2(sequence a, b) return compare(a[2],b[2]) end function
?custom_sort(compare_col2,s)
?sort_columns(s,{2})    -- 0.8.0+, same result as above w/o needing an explicit comparison routine

Output:

{{0,1.2},{3.4,-1},{"cherry","red"},{"grass","green"},{"sky","blue"},{"snow","white"}}
{{3.4,-1},{0,1.2},{"sky","blue"},{"grass","green"},{"cherry","red"},{"snow","white"}}
{{3.4,-1},{0,1.2},{"sky","blue"},{"grass","green"},{"cherry","red"},{"snow","white"}}

Phixmonti

include ..\Utilitys.pmt

def minverse
    reverse
enddef

getid minverse var f

( ( "grass" "green" ) ( "snow" "white" ) ( "sky" "blue" ) ( "cherry" "red" ) ( 0 1.2 ) ( 3.4 -1 ) )
dup

sort print nl

/# sorted by second component #/
f map sort f map print

PicoLisp

By default, the sort function in PicoLisp returns an ascending list (of any type)

: (sort '(("def" 456) ("abc" 789) ("ghi" 123)))
-> (("abc" 789) ("def" 456) ("ghi" 123))

To sort by a certain sub-element, the function by can be used. For example, to sort by the first element

: (by car sort '(("def" 456) ("abc" 789) ("ghi" 123)))
-> (("abc" 789) ("def" 456) ("ghi" 123))

or by the second element

: (by cadr sort '(("def" 456) ("abc" 789) ("ghi" 123)))
-> (("ghi" 123) ("def" 456) ("abc" 789))

PowerShell

Works with: PowerShell version 4.0

$list = @{
"def" = "one"
"abc" = "two"
"jkl" = "three"
"abcdef" = "four"
"ghi" = "five"
"ghijkl" = "six"
 }
 $list.GetEnumerator() | sort {-($PSItem.Name).length}, Name

Output:

Name                           Value                                                                               
----                           -----                                                                               
abcdef                         four                                                                                
ghijkl                         six                                                                                 
abc                            two                                                                                 
def                            one                                                                                 
ghi                            five                                                                                
jkl                            three

PureBasic

PureBasic natively supports sorting of structured data with;

SortStructuredArray()
SortStructuredList()

The on-line documentations gives a more complete picture.

Example

Structure MyPair ; Define a structured data type
  Name$
  Value.i
EndStructure

Dim People.MyPair(2)             ; Allocate some elements

People(0)\Name$ = "John"         ; Start filling them in
People(0)\Value = 100

People(1)\Name$ = "Emma"
People(1)\Value = 200

People(2)\Name$ = "Johnny"
People(2)\Value = 175

If OpenConsole()
  Define i
  ; Sort ascending by name
  SortStructuredArray(People(), #PB_Sort_Ascending, OffsetOf(MyPair\Name$), #PB_Sort_String)
  PrintN(#CRLF$+"Sorted ascending by name.")
  For i=0 To 2
    PrintN(People(i)\Name$+" - Value: "+Str(People(i)\Value))
  Next
  ; Sort descending by value
  SortStructuredArray(People(), #PB_Sort_Descending, OffsetOf(MyPair\Value), #PB_Sort_Integer)
  PrintN(#CRLF$+"Sorted descending by value.")
  For i=0 To 2
    PrintN(People(i)\Name$+" - Value: "+Str(People(i)\Value))
  Next
  ; Wait for user...
  PrintN(#CRLF$+"Press ENTER to exit"):Input()
EndIf

Outputs

Sorted ascending by name.
Emma - Value: 200
John - Value: 100
Johnny - Value: 175

Sorted descending by value.
Emma - Value: 200
Johnny - Value: 175
John - Value: 100

Python

Recent versions of Python provide the sorted() built-in that works on any iterable.

people = [('joe', 120), ('foo', 31), ('bar', 51)]
sorted(people)

Which leaves people with the value:

[('bar', 51), ('foo', 31), ('joe', 120)]

The most Pythonic (and fastest) version is to use itemgetter together with the key parameter to sort resp. sorted to perform the Decorate-sort-undecorate pattern:

from operator import itemgetter
people = [(120, 'joe'), (31, 'foo'), (51, 'bar')]
people.sort(key=itemgetter(1))

Which leaves people with the value:

[(51, 'bar'), (31, 'foo'), (120, 'joe')]

R

In R, vectors can have names associated with any of its elements. The data is taken from the Common Lisp example.

sortbyname <- function(x, ...) x[order(names(x), ...)]
x <- c(texas=68.9, ohio=87.8, california=76.2, "new york"=88.2)
sortbyname(x)

california   new york       ohio      texas 
      76.2       88.2       87.8       68.9

sortbyname(x, decreasing=TRUE)

     texas       ohio   new york california 
      68.9       87.8       88.2       76.2

Racket

#lang racket

(define data '([Joe 5531] [Adam 2341] [Bernie 122] [Walter 1234] [David 19]))

(sort data < #:key cadr)
;; --> '((David 19) (Bernie 122) (Walter 1234) (Adam 2341) (Joe 5531))

;; Demonstrating a "key" that is not just a direct element
(sort data string<? #:key (compose1 symbol->string car))
;; --> '((Adam 2341) (Bernie 122) (David 19) (Joe 5531) (Walter 1234))

Raku

(formerly Perl 6)

Works with: rakudo version 2016.05

my class Employee {
   has Str $.name;
   has Rat $.wage;
}

my $boss     = Employee.new( name => "Frank Myers"     , wage => 6755.85 );
my $driver   = Employee.new( name => "Aaron Fast"      , wage => 2530.40 );
my $worker   = Employee.new( name => "John Dude"       , wage => 2200.00 );
my $salesman = Employee.new( name => "Frank Mileeater" , wage => 4590.12 );

my @team = $boss, $driver, $worker, $salesman;

my @orderedByName = @team.sort( *.name )».name;
my @orderedByWage = @team.sort( *.wage )».name;

say "Team ordered by name (ascending order):";
say @orderedByName.join('  ');
say "Team ordered by wage (ascending order):";
say @orderedByWage.join('  ');

this produces the following output:

Team ordered by name (ascending order): 
Aaron Fast   Frank Mileeater   Frank Myers   John Dude   
Team ordered by wage (ascending order): 
John Dude   Aaron Fast   Frank Mileeater   Frank Myers

Note that when the sort receives a unary function, it automatically generates an appropriate comparison function based on the type of the data.

REXX

General remarks

Both Regina and Classic ooRexx have standard no sorting facilities built-in. However, we have Patrick McPhee's library Regutil for Regina offering SysStemSort (sort 1 stem) and RegMultiStemSort (sort 1 key stem, syncing 1 to n data stems). And ooRexx has RexxUtil offering SysStemSort (sort 1 stem). Both utilities support only a string sort and require you to build a concatenated key (fixed columns for key values) in case of multiple sort arguments (as in this task). And, by the way, their parameters are not compatible.
But we want our solutions in this category to run at least under both Regina and ooRexx. Thus a solution must be found for the limitations around stems, i.e. not be able to pass a stem to a procedure nor return one.

Version 1

This version sorts the structure by color; as entered (built), the structure is ordered by value (percent).
The name x. is used for the stem, with associated pairs x.1.color, x.2. color etc and x.1.value, x.2.value etc. Stem x. is exposed to all procedures needing it.

/*REXX program sorts an array of composite structures                 */
/* (which has two classes of data).                                   */
x.=0                           /*number elements in structure (so far)*/
Call add 'tan'   , 0           /*tan    peanut M&M's are  0%  of total*/
Call add 'orange',10           /*orange    "    "     "  10%   "   "  */
Call add 'yellow',20           /*yellow    "    "     "  20%   "   "  */
Call add 'green' ,20           /*green     "    "     "  20%   "   "  */
Call add 'red'   ,20           /*red       "    "     "  20%   "   "  */
Call add 'brown' ,30           /*brown     "    "     "  30%   "   "  */
Call show 'before sort'
Say copies('¦', 70)
Call xSort
call show ' after sort'
Exit                           /*stick a fork in it, we're all done.  */
/*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
add: Procedure Expose x.
  z=x.0+1                      /* bump the number of structure entry  */
  x.z.color=arg(1)
  x.z.pc=arg(2)                /* construct an entry of the structure */
  x.0=z
  Return
/*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
show: Procedure Expose x.
  Do i=1 To x.0
    /* display  what     name               value.                    */
    Say right(arg(1),30) right(x.i.color,9) right(x.i.pc,4)'%'
    End
  Return
/*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
xsort: Procedure Expose x.
  h=x.0
  Do While h>1
    h=h%2
    Do i=1 For x.0-h
      j=i
      k=h+i
      Do While x.k.color<x.j.color
        _=x.j.color                 /* swap elements.                 */
        x.j.color=x.k.color
        x.k.color=_
        _=x.j.pc
        x.j.pc=x.k.pc
        x.k.pc=_
        If h>=j Then
          Leave
        j=j-h
        k=k-h
        End
      End
    End
  Return

output when using the (internal) default inputs:

                   before sort       tan    0%
                   before sort    orange   10%
                   before sort    yellow   20%
                   before sort     green   20%
                   before sort       red   20%
                   before sort     brown   30%
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
                    after sort     brown   30%
                    after sort     green   20%
                    after sort    orange   10%
                    after sort       red   20%
                    after sort       tan    0%
                    after sort    yellow   20%

Realistic example

I asked ChatGPT (nice tool...): 'Give me a list of all US states, and per state the 3 cities with the highest population, in CSV format'. The result was neatly sorted, but for this example I shuffled the list. It shows as

California,Los Angeles,3884307
Utah,Salt Lake City,199927
New Mexico,Las Cruces,111385
California,San Diego,1423851
California,San Jose,1021795
Missouri,Saint Louis,302838
New Mexico,Rio Rancho,101008
Michigan,Grand Rapids,197416
Nevada,Reno,260068
Idaho,Nampa,100200
Arizona,Mesa,508958
Oregon,Eugene,176654
Maine,Bangor,32178
Texas,Houston,2325502
Utah,Provo,116288
Alaska,Juneau,31275
Texas,Dallas,1335795
Hawaii,Kailua,37713
Florida,Tampa,392890
Florida,Miami,478251
Idaho,Boise,236310
Oregon,Salem,168916
Hawaii,Hilo,45784
Ohio,Columbus,905748
Iowa,Davenport,102320
Idaho,Meridian,117322
Alabama,Mobile,195111
Maine,Lewiston,36277
Ohio,Cleveland,372624
Delaware,Dover,38202
Kansas,Wichita,391731
Oklahoma,Tulsa,391906
Nebraska,Omaha,486051
Arizona,Tucson,548073
Wyoming,Casper,58500
Maine,Portland,67506
South Carolina,Charleston,150227
North Carolina,Charlotte,874579
South Carolina,Columbia,137318
North Carolina,Greensboro,306614
South Carolina,North Charleston,118974
North Carolina,Raleigh,474069
Massachusetts,Boston,645966
Vermont,South Burlington,19480
West Virginia,Charleston,48387
Kansas,Kansas City,152960
New Hampshire,Concord,42629
Montana,Great Falls,59488
West Virginia,Huntington,45531
New Hampshire,Manchester,115644
New Hampshire,Nashua,88341
Louisiana,New Orleans,384320
West Virginia,Parkersburg,30701
Arkansas,Fort Smith,87674
Massachusetts,Springfield,153606
Massachusetts,Worcester,185885
Illinois,Aurora,197757
Georgia,Augusta,202679
Colorado,Aurora,361710
Georgia,Atlanta,498715
Colorado,Colorado Springs,457568
Connecticut,Stamford,129775
South Dakota,Rapid City,74388
Indiana,Indianapolis,855164
North Dakota,Fargo,124662
New Jersey,Newark,281054
Rhode Island,Warwick,81481
Nevada,Las Vegas,641676
Wisconsin,Milwaukee,592025
Indiana,Fort Wayne,264488
South Dakota,Aberdeen,27653
Mississippi,Jackson,172638
Kansas,Overland Park,190886
Vermont,Rutland,15942
Oregon,Portland,632309
Arkansas,Little Rock,202591
Wyoming,Laramie,32311
Minnesota,Minneapolis,429606
Maryland,Gaithersburg,67404
New Jersey,Paterson,146199
Minnesota,Rochester,223873
Utah,West Valley City,136574
Alaska,Anchorage,291538
Missouri,Springfield,165794
Alabama,Birmingham,200733
Illinois,Chicago,2716000
Montana,Billings,109577
Kentucky,Lexington,323780
Vermont,Burlington,42304
Pennsylvania,Philadelphia,1567442
Tennessee,Memphis,660388
Ohio,Cincinnati,298165
Connecticut,Bridgeport,144399
Iowa,Cedar Rapids,132228
Indiana,Evansville,119943
South Dakota,Sioux Falls,186502
North Dakota,Bismarck,74151
Michigan,Detroit,672662
Pennsylvania,Pittsburgh,305704
Delaware,Newark,34544
Washington,Spokane,230707
Alaska,Fairbanks,31516
Montana,Missoula,68220
Mississippi,Gulfport,71375
Virginia,Norfolk,244835
Pennsylvania,Allentown,118577
Nebraska,Lincoln,280849
New York,Buffalo,256480
Alabama,Montgomery,199518
Maryland,Baltimore,622104
Wisconsin,Green Bay,107395
Louisiana,Baton Rouge,227715
Oklahoma,Norman,124880
Michigan,Warren,134056
Wyoming,Cheyenne,64235
Kentucky,Bowling Green,67226
Delaware,Wilmington,70973
Virginia,Virginia Beach,450189
Texas,San Antonio,1532233
Florida,Jacksonville,949611
Oklahoma,Oklahoma City,649021
Washington,Tacoma,213418
Nevada,Henderson,310390
New York,New York,8537673
Virginia,Chesapeake,247036
Colorado,Denver,716492
North Dakota,Grand Forks,55231
Rhode Island,Cranston,80566
Maryland,Frederick,71726
Rhode Island,Providence,179207
Missouri,Kansas City,508090
Iowa,Des Moines,214237
New Jersey,Jersey City,280579
Wisconsin,Madison,258054
New York,Rochester,208046
Minnesota,Saint Paul,308096
Arkansas,Fayetteville,74880
Washington,Seattle,787995
Hawaii,Honolulu,337256
New Mexico,Albuquerque,559277
Georgia,Columbus,206922
Mississippi,Southaven,55200
Louisiana,Shreveport,194920
Illinois,Naperville,147122
Tennessee,Knoxville,190740
Kentucky,Louisville,621349
Tennessee,Nashville,634464
Nebraska,Bellevue,272117
Connecticut,New Haven,130322
Arizona,Phoenix,1680992

A nice table to play with: duplicates in the first entry and numeric values in the last entry. I stored it in States.txt, and will use it in subsequential examples.
Now, let's use a 'database' approach, just like in the entry Sort_an_array_of_composite_structures#SQL
Above data forms a table, say states, having three columns state (char), city (char) and pop (int). So let's use a stem with head 'states.' and tails 'state.x', 'city.x' and 'pop.x', x = row number. Exposing 'states.' to each procedures serves as providing a table to the procedure. And let states.0 hold the number of rows. This naming convention closely mimics the fully qualified names for tables and columns in SQL, and shows clearly the relation between the tails as belonging to the head 'states.'.
By the way, this way of naming and storing is essentially the same as in Version 1, nothing new here.

Versions 2 and 3

Now, use the data structure

states. (table)
states.0 = n (number of rows)
states.state.x (column state)
states.city.x (column city)
states.pop.x (column population)

Notice that the row number is always after the last tail. In Version 1 that was after the head, i.e. states.x.state. And parameters and replaceable texts are always specified including the period, thus making stem usage explicit visible.

We arrive at following program and procedures.

Program, creating a table and invoking several sorts on different columns, using two types of (quick)sort procedure.

Main:
call Create
call Show 'Not ordered'
call SortStateCity
call Show 'By state and city'
call SortPopCityN
call Show 'By pop (numeric desc) and city'
table = 'states.'
keys = 'pop. state.'; data = 'city.'
call SortPopCityS table,keys,data
call Show 'By pop (string) and city'
table = 'states.'
keys = 'city. state.'; data = 'pop.'
call SortCityState table,keys,data
call Show 'By city and state'
return

Create:
states = 'States.txt'
call Stream states,'c','open read'
states. = ''; n = 0
do while lines(states) > 0
   record = linein(states)
   parse var record rstate','rcity','rpop
   n = n+1; states.state.n = rstate; states.city.n = rcity; states.pop.n = rpop
end
call Stream states,'c','close'
states.0 = n
return

Show:
procedure expose states.
arg header
say center(header,53)
say right('row',3) left('state',20) left('city',20) right('pop',7)
do n = 1 to states.0
   say right(n,3) left(states.state.n,20) left(states.city.n,20) right(states.pop.n,7)
end
say
return

include Quicksort21 [label]=SortStateCity [table]=states. [key1]=state. [key2]=city. [data1]=pop.
include Quicksort21 [label]=SortPopCityN [table]=states. [key1]=pop. [key2]=city. [data1]=state. [lt]=> [gt]=<
include Quicksort [label]=SortCityState
include Quicksort [label]=SortPopCityS [lt]=<< [gt]=>>

Quicksort, optimized for exactly 2 key columns and 1 data column.

default [label]=Quicksort21 [table]=table. [key1]=key1. [key2]=key2. [data1]=data1. [lt]=< [eq]== [gt]=>
-- Sorting procedure - Build 7 Sep 2024
-- (C) Paul van den Eertwegh 2024

[label]:
-- Sort a stem on 2 key columns, syncing 1 data column
procedure expose [table]
-- Sort
n = [table]0; s = 1; sl.1 = 1; sr.1 = n
do until s = 0
   l = sl.s; r = sr.s; s = s-1
   do until l >= r
-- Up to 19 rows selection sort is faster
      if r-l < 20 then do
         do i = l+1 to r
            a = [table][key1]i
            b = [table][key2]i
            c = [table][data1]i
            do j = i-1 by -1 to l
               if [table][key1]j [lt] a then
                  leave
               if [table][key1]j [eq] a then
                  if [table][key2]j [lt]= b then
                     leave
               k = j+1
               [table][key1]k = [table][key1]j
               [table][key2]k = [table][key2]j
               [table][data1]k = [table][data1]j
            end
            k = j+1
            [table][key1]k = a
            [table][key2]k = b
            [table][data1]k = c
         end
         if s = 0 then
            leave
         l = sl.s; r = sr.s; s = s-1
      end
      else do
-- Find optimized pivot
         m = (l+r)%2
         if [table][key1]l [gt] [table][key1]m then do
            t = [table][key1]l; [table][key1]l = [table][key1]m; [table][key1]m = t
            t = [table][key2]l; [table][key2]l = [table][key2]m; [table][key2]m = t
            t = [table][data1]l; [table][data1]l = [table][data1]m; [table][data1]m = t
         end
         else do
            if [table][key1]l [eq] [table][key1]m then do
               if [table][key2]l [gt] [table][key2]m then do
                  t = [table][key2]l; [table][key2]l = [table][key2]m; [table][key2]m = t
                  t = [table][data1]l; [table][data1]l = [table][data1]m; [table][data1]m = t
               end
            end
         end
         if [table][key1]l [gt] [table][key1]r then do
            t = [table][key1]l; [table][key1]l = [table][key1]r; [table][key1]r = t
            t = [table][key2]l; [table][key2]l = [table][key2]r; [table][key2]r = t
            t = [table][data1]l; [table][data1]l = [table][data1]r; [table][data1]r = t
         end
         else do
            if [table][key1]l [eq] [table][key1]r then do
               if [table][key2]l [gt] [table][key2]r then do
                  t = [table][key2]l; [table][key2]l = [table][key2]r; [table][key2]r = t
                  t = [table][data1]l; [table][data1]l = [table][data1]r; [table][data1]r = t
               end
            end
         end
         if [table][key1]m [gt] [table][key1]r then do
            t = [table][key1]m; [table][key1]m = [table][key1]r; [table][key1]r = t
            t = [table][key2]m; [table][key2]m = [table][key2]r; [table][key2]r = t
            t = [table][data1]m; [table][data1]m = [table][data1]r; [table][data1]r = t
         end
         else do
            if [table][key1]m [eq] [table][key1]r then do
               if [table][key2]m [gt] [table][key2]r then do
                  t = [table][key2]m; [table][key2]m = [table][key2]r; [table][key2]r = t
                  t = [table][data1]m; [table][data1]m = [table][data1]r; [table][data1]r = t
               end
            end
         end
-- Rearrange rows in partition
         i = l; j = r
         a = [table][key1]m
         b = [table][key2]m
         do until i > j
            do i = i
               if [table][key1]i [gt] a then
                  leave
               if [table][key1]i [eq] a then
                  if [table][key2]i [gt]= b then
                     leave
            end
            do j = j by -1
               if [table][key1]j [lt] a then
                  leave
               if [table][key1]j [eq] a then
                  if [table][key2]j [lt]= b then
                     leave
            end
            if i <= j then do
               t = [table][key1]i; [table][key1]i = [table][key1]j; [table][key1]j = t
               t = [table][key2]i; [table][key2]i = [table][key2]j; [table][key2]j = t
               t = [table][data1]i; [table][data1]i = [table][data1]j; [table][data1]j = t
               i = i+1; j = j-1
            end
         end
-- Next partition
         if j-l < r-i then do
            if i < r then do
               s = s+1; sl.s = i; sr.s = r
            end
            r = j
         end
         else do
            if l < j then do
               s = s+1; sl.s = l; sr.s = j
            end
            l = i
         end
      end
   end
end
return

Quicksort, able to sort a table on any number of key columns, syncing any number of data columns.
Ugh... Nasty code with all those calls to Value(), but it works. Check the documentation on the Value() function if you are not familiar with it.

default [label]=Quicksort [lt]=< [eq]== [gt]=>
-- Sorting procedure - Build 7 Sep 2024
-- (C) Paul van den Eertwegh 2024

[label]:
-- Sort a stem on 1 or more key columns, syncing 0 or more data columns
procedure expose (table)
arg table,keys,data
-- Collect keys
kn = words(keys)
do x = 1 to kn
   key.x = word(keys,x)
end
-- Collect data
dn = words(data)
do x = 1 to dn
   data.x = word(data,x)
end
-- Sort
n = value(table||0); s = 1; sl.1 = 1; sr.1 = n
do until s = 0
   l = sl.s; r = sr.s; s = s-1
   do until l >= r
-- Up to 19 rows insertion sort is faster
      if r-l < 20 then do
         do i = l+1 to r
            do x = 1 to kn
               k.x = value(table||key.x||i)
            end
            do x = 1 to dn
               d.x = value(table||data.x||i)
            end
            do j=i-1 to l by -1
               do x = 1 to kn
                  a = value(table||key.x||j)
                  if a [gt] k.x then
                     leave x
                  if a [eq] k.x then
                     if x < kn then
                        iterate x
                  leave j
               end
               k = j+1
               do x = 1 to kn
                  t = value(table||key.x||j)
                  call value table||key.x||k,t
               end
               do x = 1 to dn
                  t = value(table||data.x||j)
                  call value table||data.x||k,t
               end
            end
            k = j+1
            do x = 1 to kn
               call value table||key.x||k,k.x
            end
            do x = 1 to dn
               call value table||data.x||k,d.x
            end
         end
         if s = 0 then
            leave
         l = sl.s; r = sr.s; s = s-1
      end
      else do
-- Find optimized pivot
         m = (l+r)%2
         do x = 1 to kn
            a = value(table||key.x||l); b = value(table||key.x||m)
            if a [gt] b then do
               do y = 1 to kn
                  t = value(table||key.y||l); u = value(table||key.y||m)
                  call value table||key.y||l,u; call value table||key.y||m,t
               end
               do y = 1 to dn
                  t = value(table||data.y||l); u = value(table||data.y||m)
                  call value table||data.y||l,u; call value table||data.y||m,t
               end
               leave
            end
            if a [lt] b then
               leave
         end
         do x = 1 to kn
            a = value(table||key.x||l); b = value(table||key.x||r)
            if a [gt] b then do
               do y = 1 to kn
                  t = value(table||key.y||l); u = value(table||key.y||r)
                  call value table||key.y||l,u; call value table||key.y||r,t
               end
               do y = 1 to dn
                  t = value(table||data.y||l); u = value(table||data.y||r)
                  call value table||data.y||l,u; call value table||data.y||r,t
               end
               leave
            end
            if a [lt] b then
               leave
         end
         do x = 1 to kn
            a = value(table||key.x||m); b = value(table||key.x||r)
            if a [gt] b then do
               do y = 1 to kn
                  t = value(table||key.y||m); u = value(table||key.y||r)
                  call value table||key.y||m,u; call value table||key.y||r,t
               end
               do y = 1 to dn
                  t = value(table||data.y||m); u = value(table||data.y||r)
                  call value table||data.y||m,u; call value table||data.y||r,t
               end
               leave
            end
            if a [lt] b then
               leave
         end
-- Rearrange rows in partition
         i = l; j = r
         do x = 1 to kn
            p.x = value(table||key.x||m)
         end
         do until i > j
            do i = i
               do x = 1 to kn
                  a = value(table||key.x||i)
                  if a [lt] p.x then
                     leave x
                  if a [eq] p.x then
                     if x < kn then
                        iterate x
                  leave i
               end
            end
            do j = j by -1
               do x = 1 to kn
                  a = value(table||key.x||j)
                  if a [gt] p.x then
                     leave x
                  if a [eq] p.x then
                     if x < kn then
                        iterate x
                  leave j
               end
            end
            if i <= j then do
               do x = 1 to kn
                  t = value(table||key.x||i); u = value(table||key.x||j)
                  call value table||key.x||i,u; call value table||key.x||j,t
               end
               do x = 1 to dn
                  t = value(table||data.x||i); u = value(table||data.x||j)
                  call value table||data.x||i,u; call value table||data.x||j,t
               end
               i = i+1; j = j-1
            end
         end
-- Next partition
         if j-l < r-i then do
            if i < r then do
               s = s+1; sl.s = i; sr.s = r
            end
            r = j
         end
         else do
            if l < j then do
               s = s+1; sl.s = l; sr.s = j
            end
            l = i
         end
      end
   end
end
return

You may have noticed the replaceable texts [lt], [eq] and [gt]. These are present in the procedures at strategic points and allows you to control the sort: ascending ([lt]=< and [gt]=>) vs descending ([lt]=> and [gt]=<) and numeric (use < = >) or string (use << == >>). See the rexx documentation about strict comparisons. The include clauses in the first program provide examples.
Running the program yields following output. For the sorted entries only the first 10 rows are shown.

Output:

                     NOT ORDERED
row state                city                     pop
  1 California           Los Angeles          3884307
  2 Utah                 Salt Lake City        199927
  3 New Mexico           Las Cruces            111385
  4 California           San Diego            1423851
  5 California           San Jose             1021795
  6 Missouri             Saint Louis           302838
  7 New Mexico           Rio Rancho            101008
  8 Michigan             Grand Rapids          197416
  9 Nevada               Reno                  260068
 10 Idaho                Nampa                 100200
 11 Arizona              Mesa                  508958
 12 Oregon               Eugene                176654
 13 Maine                Bangor                 32178
 14 Texas                Houston              2325502
 15 Utah                 Provo                 116288
 16 Alaska               Juneau                 31275
 17 Texas                Dallas               1335795
 18 Hawaii               Kailua                 37713
 19 Florida              Tampa                 392890
 20 Florida              Miami                 478251
 21 Idaho                Boise                 236310
 22 Oregon               Salem                 168916
 23 Hawaii               Hilo                   45784
 24 Ohio                 Columbus              905748
 25 Iowa                 Davenport             102320
 26 Idaho                Meridian              117322
 27 Alabama              Mobile                195111
 28 Maine                Lewiston               36277
 29 Ohio                 Cleveland             372624
 30 Delaware             Dover                  38202
 31 Kansas               Wichita               391731
 32 Oklahoma             Tulsa                 391906
 33 Nebraska             Omaha                 486051
 34 Arizona              Tucson                548073
 35 Wyoming              Casper                 58500
 36 Maine                Portland               67506
 37 South Carolina       Charleston            150227
 38 North Carolina       Charlotte             874579
 39 South Carolina       Columbia              137318
 40 North Carolina       Greensboro            306614
 41 South Carolina       North Charleston      118974
 42 North Carolina       Raleigh               474069
 43 Massachusetts        Boston                645966
 44 Vermont              South Burlington       19480
 45 West Virginia        Charleston             48387
 46 Kansas               Kansas City           152960
 47 New Hampshire        Concord                42629
 48 Montana              Great Falls            59488
 49 West Virginia        Huntington             45531
 50 New Hampshire        Manchester            115644
 51 New Hampshire        Nashua                 88341
 52 Louisiana            New Orleans           384320
 53 West Virginia        Parkersburg            30701
 54 Arkansas             Fort Smith             87674
 55 Massachusetts        Springfield           153606
 56 Massachusetts        Worcester             185885
 57 Illinois             Aurora                197757
 58 Georgia              Augusta               202679
 59 Colorado             Aurora                361710
 60 Georgia              Atlanta               498715
 61 Colorado             Colorado Springs      457568
 62 Connecticut          Stamford              129775
 63 South Dakota         Rapid City             74388
 64 Indiana              Indianapolis          855164
 65 North Dakota         Fargo                 124662
 66 New Jersey           Newark                281054
 67 Rhode Island         Warwick                81481
 68 Nevada               Las Vegas             641676
 69 Wisconsin            Milwaukee             592025
 70 Indiana              Fort Wayne            264488
 71 South Dakota         Aberdeen               27653
 72 Mississippi          Jackson               172638
 73 Kansas               Overland Park         190886
 74 Vermont              Rutland                15942
 75 Oregon               Portland              632309
 76 Arkansas             Little Rock           202591
 77 Wyoming              Laramie                32311
 78 Minnesota            Minneapolis           429606
 79 Maryland             Gaithersburg           67404
 80 New Jersey           Paterson              146199
 81 Minnesota            Rochester             223873
 82 Utah                 West Valley City      136574
 83 Alaska               Anchorage             291538
 84 Missouri             Springfield           165794
 85 Alabama              Birmingham            200733
 86 Illinois             Chicago              2716000
 87 Montana              Billings              109577
 88 Kentucky             Lexington             323780
 89 Vermont              Burlington             42304
 90 Pennsylvania         Philadelphia         1567442
 91 Tennessee            Memphis               660388
 92 Ohio                 Cincinnati            298165
 93 Connecticut          Bridgeport            144399
 94 Iowa                 Cedar Rapids          132228
 95 Indiana              Evansville            119943
 96 South Dakota         Sioux Falls           186502
 97 North Dakota         Bismarck               74151
 98 Michigan             Detroit               672662
 99 Pennsylvania         Pittsburgh            305704
100 Delaware             Newark                 34544
101 Washington           Spokane               230707
102 Alaska               Fairbanks              31516
103 Montana              Missoula               68220
104 Mississippi          Gulfport               71375
105 Virginia             Norfolk               244835
106 Pennsylvania         Allentown             118577
107 Nebraska             Lincoln               280849
108 New York             Buffalo               256480
109 Alabama              Montgomery            199518
110 Maryland             Baltimore             622104
111 Wisconsin            Green Bay             107395
112 Louisiana            Baton Rouge           227715
113 Oklahoma             Norman                124880
114 Michigan             Warren                134056
115 Wyoming              Cheyenne               64235
116 Kentucky             Bowling Green          67226
117 Delaware             Wilmington             70973
118 Virginia             Virginia Beach        450189
119 Texas                San Antonio          1532233
120 Florida              Jacksonville          949611
121 Oklahoma             Oklahoma City         649021
122 Washington           Tacoma                213418
123 Nevada               Henderson             310390
124 New York             New York             8537673
125 Virginia             Chesapeake            247036
126 Colorado             Denver                716492
127 North Dakota         Grand Forks            55231
128 Rhode Island         Cranston               80566
129 Maryland             Frederick              71726
130 Rhode Island         Providence            179207
131 Missouri             Kansas City           508090
132 Iowa                 Des Moines            214237
133 New Jersey           Jersey City           280579
134 Wisconsin            Madison               258054
135 New York             Rochester             208046
136 Minnesota            Saint Paul            308096
137 Arkansas             Fayetteville           74880
138 Washington           Seattle               787995
139 Hawaii               Honolulu              337256
140 New Mexico           Albuquerque           559277
141 Georgia              Columbus              206922
142 Mississippi          Southaven              55200
143 Louisiana            Shreveport            194920
144 Illinois             Naperville            147122
145 Tennessee            Knoxville             190740
146 Kentucky             Louisville            621349
147 Tennessee            Nashville             634464
148 Nebraska             Bellevue              272117
149 Connecticut          New Haven             130322
150 Arizona              Phoenix              1680992

                  BY STATE AND CITY
row state                city                     pop
  1 Alabama              Birmingham            200733
  2 Alabama              Mobile                195111
  3 Alabama              Montgomery            199518
  4 Alaska               Anchorage             291538
  5 Alaska               Fairbanks              31516
  6 Alaska               Juneau                 31275
  7 Arizona              Mesa                  508958
  8 Arizona              Phoenix              1680992
  9 Arizona              Tucson                548073
 10 Arkansas             Fayetteville           74880
    ...

           BY POP (NUMERIC DESC) AND CITY
row state                city                     pop
  1 New York             New York             8537673
  2 California           Los Angeles          3884307
  3 Illinois             Chicago              2716000
  4 Texas                Houston              2325502
  5 Arizona              Phoenix              1680992
  6 Pennsylvania         Philadelphia         1567442
  7 Texas                San Antonio          1532233
  8 California           San Diego            1423851
  9 Texas                Dallas               1335795
 10 California           San Jose             1021795
    ...

              BY POP (STRING) AND CITY
row state                city                     pop
  1 Idaho                Nampa                 100200
  2 New Mexico           Rio Rancho            101008
  3 California           San Jose             1021795
  4 Iowa                 Davenport             102320
  5 Wisconsin            Green Bay             107395
  6 Montana              Billings              109577
  7 New Mexico           Las Cruces            111385
  8 New Hampshire        Manchester            115644
  9 Utah                 Provo                 116288
 10 Idaho                Meridian              117322
    ...

                  BY CITY AND STATE
row state                city                     pop
  1 South Dakota         Aberdeen               27653
  2 New Mexico           Albuquerque           559277
  3 Pennsylvania         Allentown             118577
  4 Alaska               Anchorage             291538
  5 Georgia              Atlanta               498715
  6 Georgia              Augusta               202679
  7 Colorado             Aurora                361710
  8 Illinois             Aurora                197757
  9 Maryland             Baltimore             622104
 10 Maine                Bangor                 32178
    ...

What's the performance of these sorts? I ran this example on some bigger tables, also with 2 keys and 1 data.
A you might have guessed, the customized Quicksort21 is much faster than the general one. Indication of timings in seconds.

Timing indication custom vs general Quicksort
Rows	Regina cust	Regina gen	ooRexx cust	ooRexx gen
1k	0.01	0.02	0.01	0.03
10k	0.11	0.28	0.18	0.70
100k	1.5	3.8	2.3	11.7
1m	18	120	30	120

Ring

aList= sort([:Eight = 8, :Two = 2, :Five = 5, :Nine = 9, :One = 1,
             :Three = 3, :Six = 6, :Seven = 7, :Four = 4, :Ten = 10] , 2)
for item in aList
    ? item[1] + space(10-len(item[1])) + item[2]
next

Output:

one       1
two       2
three     3
four      4
five      5
six       6
seven     7
eight     8
nine      9
ten       10

Ruby

Person = Struct.new(:name,:value) do
  def to_s; "name:#{name}, value:#{value}" end
end

list = [Person.new("Joe",3),
        Person.new("Bill",4),
        Person.new("Alice",20),
        Person.new("Harry",3)]
puts list.sort_by{|x|x.name}
puts
puts list.sort_by(&:value)

Output:

name:Alice, value:20
name:Bill, value:4
name:Harry, value:3
name:Joe, value:3

name:Joe, value:3
name:Harry, value:3
name:Bill, value:4
name:Alice, value:20

Run BASIC

sqliteconnect #mem, ":memory:"                          ' create in memory db
mem$	= "CREATE TABLE people(num integer, name text,city text)"
#mem execute(mem$)
data "1","George","Redding","2","Fred","Oregon","3","Ben","Seneca","4","Steve","Fargo","5","Frank","Houston"

for i = 1 to 5                                          ' read data and place in memory DB
 read num$ :read name$: read city$
 #mem execute("INSERT INTO people VALUES(";num$;",'";name$;"','";city$;"')")
next i
#mem execute("SELECT * FROM people ORDER BY name")      'sort by name order
WHILE  #mem hasanswer()
  #row  = #mem #nextrow()
  num   = #row num()
  name$	= #row name$()
  city$	= #row city$()
  print num;" ";name$;" ";city$
WEND

3 Ben Seneca
5 Frank Houston
2 Fred Oregon
1 George Redding
4 Steve Fargo

Rust

Translation of: Kotlin

use std::cmp::Ordering;

#[derive(Debug)]
struct Employee {
    name: String,
    category: String,
}

impl Employee {
    fn new(name: &str, category: &str) -> Self {
        Employee {
            name: name.into(),
            category: category.into(),
        }
    }
}

impl PartialEq for Employee {
    fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
        self.name == other.name
    }
}

impl Eq for Employee {}

impl PartialOrd for Employee {
    fn partial_cmp(&self, other: &Self) -> Option<Ordering> {
        Some(self.cmp(other))
    }
}

impl Ord for Employee {
    fn cmp(&self, other: &Self) -> Ordering {
        self.name.cmp(&other.name)
    }
}

fn main() {
    let mut employees = vec![
        Employee::new("David", "Manager"),
        Employee::new("Alice", "Sales"),
        Employee::new("Joanna", "Director"),
        Employee::new("Henry", "Admin"),
        Employee::new("Tim", "Sales"),
        Employee::new("Juan", "Admin"),
    ];
    employees.sort();
    for e in employees {
        println!("{:<6} : {}", e.name, e.category);
    }
}

Output:

Alice  : Sales
David  : Manager
Henry  : Admin
Joanna : Director
Juan   : Admin
Tim    : Sales

Scala

case class Pair(name:String, value:Double)
val input = Array(Pair("Krypton", 83.798), Pair("Beryllium", 9.012182), Pair("Silicon", 28.0855))
input.sortBy(_.name) // Array(Pair(Beryllium,9.012182), Pair(Krypton,83.798), Pair(Silicon,28.0855))

// alternative versions:
input.sortBy(struct => (struct.name, struct.value)) // additional sort field (name first, then value)
input.sortWith((a,b) => a.name.compareTo(b.name) < 0) // arbitrary comparison function

Seed7

$ include "seed7_05.s7i";

const type: pair is new struct
    var string: name is "";
    var string: value is "";
  end struct;

const func integer: compare (in pair: pair1, in pair: pair2) is
  return compare(pair1.name, pair2.name);

const func string: str (in pair: aPair) is
  return "(" <& aPair.name <& ", " <& aPair.value <& ")";

enable_output(pair);

const func pair: pair (in string: name, in string: value) is func
  result
    var pair: newPair is pair.value;
  begin
    newPair.name := name;
    newPair.value := value;
  end func;

var array pair: data is [] (
    pair("Joe",    "5531"),
    pair("Adam",   "2341"),
    pair("Bernie", "122"),
    pair("Walter", "1234"),
    pair("David",  "19"));

const proc: main is func
  local
    var pair: aPair is pair.value;
  begin
    data := sort(data);
    for aPair range data do
      writeln(aPair);
    end for;
  end func;

Output:

(Adam, 2341)
(Bernie, 122)
(David, 19)
(Joe, 5531)
(Walter, 1234)

Sidef

# Declare an array of pairs
var people = [['joe', 120], ['foo', 31], ['bar', 51]];

# Sort the array in-place by name
people.sort! {|a,b| a[0] <=> b[0] };

# Alternatively, we can use the `.sort_by{}` method
var sorted = people.sort_by { |item| item[0] };

# Display the sorted array
say people;

Output:

[["bar", 51], ["foo", 31], ["joe", 120]]

Simula

BEGIN

    CLASS COMPARABLE;;

    COMPARABLE CLASS PAIR(N,V); TEXT N,V;;

    CLASS COMPARATOR;
    VIRTUAL:
        PROCEDURE COMPARE IS
            INTEGER PROCEDURE COMPARE(A, B); REF(COMPARABLE) A, B;;
    BEGIN
    END**OF**COMPARATOR;

    COMPARATOR CLASS PAIRBYNAME;
    BEGIN
        INTEGER PROCEDURE COMPARE(A, B); REF(COMPARABLE) A, B;
        BEGIN
            COMPARE := IF A QUA PAIR.N < B QUA PAIR.N THEN -1 ELSE
                       IF A QUA PAIR.N > B QUA PAIR.N THEN +1 ELSE 0;
        END;
    END**OF**PAIRBYNAME;

    PROCEDURE BUBBLESORT(A, C); NAME A; REF(COMPARABLE) ARRAY A; REF(COMPARATOR) C;
    BEGIN
       INTEGER LOW, HIGH, I;
       BOOLEAN SWAPPED;

       PROCEDURE SWAP(I, J); INTEGER I, J;
       BEGIN
           REF(COMPARABLE) TEMP;
           TEMP :- A(I); A(I) :- A(J); A(J) :- TEMP;
       END**OF**SWAP;

       LOW := LOWERBOUND(A, 1);
       HIGH := UPPERBOUND(A, 1);
       SWAPPED := TRUE;
       WHILE SWAPPED DO
       BEGIN
           SWAPPED := FALSE;
           FOR I := LOW + 1 STEP 1 UNTIL HIGH DO
           BEGIN
               COMMENT IF THIS PAIR IS OUT OF ORDER ;
               IF C.COMPARE(A(I - 1), A(I)) > 0 THEN
               BEGIN
                   COMMENT SWAP THEM AND REMEMBER SOMETHING CHANGED ;
                   SWAP(I - 1, I);
                   SWAPPED := TRUE;
               END;
           END;
       END;
    END**OF**BUBBLESORT;

    COMMENT ** MAIN PROGRAM **;
    REF(PAIR) ARRAY A(1:5);
    INTEGER I;

    A(1) :- NEW PAIR( "JOE", "5531" );
    A(2) :- NEW PAIR( "ADAM", "2341" );
    A(3) :- NEW PAIR( "BERNIE", "122" );
    A(4) :- NEW PAIR( "WALTER", "1234" );
    A(5) :- NEW PAIR( "DAVID", "19" );

    BUBBLESORT(A, NEW PAIRBYNAME);

    FOR I:= 1 STEP 1 UNTIL 5 DO
    BEGIN OUTTEXT(A(I).N); OUTCHAR(' '); OUTTEXT(A(I).V); OUTIMAGE; END;
    OUTIMAGE;
    
END.

Output:

ADAM 2341
BERNIE 122
DAVID 19
JOE 5531
WALTER 1234

SQL

We can treat the array of data structures as a table. An order by clause in a query will sort the data.

-- setup
create table pairs (name varchar(16), value varchar(16));
insert into pairs values ('Fluffy', 'cat');
insert into pairs values ('Fido', 'dog');
insert into pairs values ('Francis', 'fish');
-- order them by name
select * from pairs order by name;

Output:

NAME             VALUE
---------------- ----------------
Fido             dog
Fluffy           cat
Francis          fish

Swift

extension Sequence {
  func sorted<Value>(
    on: KeyPath<Element, Value>,
    using: (Value, Value) -> Bool
  ) -> [Element] where Value: Comparable {
    return withoutActuallyEscaping(using, do: {using -> [Element] in
      return self.sorted(by: { using($0[keyPath: on], $1[keyPath: on]) })
    })
  }
}

struct Person {
  var name: String
  var role: String
}

let a = Person(name: "alice", role: "manager")
let b = Person(name: "bob", role: "worker")
let c = Person(name: "charlie", role: "driver")

print([c, b, a].sorted(on: \.name, using: <))

Output:

[Runner.Person(name: "alice", role: "manager"), Runner.Person(name: "bob", role: "worker"), Runner.Person(name: "charlie", role: "driver")]

Tcl

Modeling the data structure being sorted as a list (a common Tcl practice):

set people {{joe 120} {foo 31} {bar 51}}
# sort by the first element of each pair
lsort -index 0 $people

UNIX Shell

With this language, everything is a string. My list of pairs is a string where a colon ":" separates "name:value", and a newline separates different pairs. Then I can use sort -t: -k1,1 to sort the pairs by name.

list="namez:order!
name space:in
name1:sort
name:Please"

newline="
"

dumplist() {
	(
		IFS=$newline
		for pair in $list; do
			(
				IFS=:
				set -- $pair
				echo "  $1 => $2"
			)
		done
	)
}

echo "Original list:"
dumplist

list=`IFS=$newline; printf %s "$list" | sort -t: -k1,1`

echo "Sorted list:"
dumplist

Output:

Original list:
  namez => order!
  name space => in
  name1 => sort
  name => Please
Sorted list:
  name => Please
  name space => in
  name1 => sort
  namez => order!

Ursala

The built in sort operator, -<, can be parameterized by an anonymous field specification and/or a relational predicate.

#import std

#cast %sWLW

examples = 

(
   -<&l <('z','a'),('x','c'),('y','b')>,  # sorted by the left
   -<&r <('z','a'),('x','c'),('y','b')>)  # sorted by the right

output:

(
   <('x','c'),('y','b'),('z','a')>,
   <('z','a'),('y','b'),('x','c')>)

a more verbose example, showing a list of records of a user defined type sorted by a named field:

#import std

person :: name %s value %s

people =

<
   person[name: 'Marilyn Monroe',value: 'priceless'],
   person[name: 'Victor Hugo',value: 'millions'],
   person[name: 'Johnny Carson',value: 'up there']>

#cast _person%L

example = (lleq+ ~name~~)-< people

output:

<
   person[name: 'Johnny Carson',value: 'up there'],
   person[name: 'Marilyn Monroe',value: 'priceless'],
   person[name: 'Victor Hugo',value: 'millions']>

Wren

Library: Wren-sort

import "./sort" for Cmp, Sort, Comparable

class Pair is Comparable {
    construct new (name, value) {
        _name = name
        _value = value
    }

    name  { _name }
    value { _value }

    compare(other) { Cmp.string.call(_name, other.name) }

    toString { "{%(_name), %(_value)}" }
}

var pairs = [
    Pair.new("grass", "green"),
    Pair.new("snow", "white"),
    Pair.new("sky", "blue"),
    Pair.new("cherry", "red")
]

System.print("Before sorting:")
System.print("  " + pairs.join("\n  "))
Sort.insertion(pairs)
System.print("\nAfter sorting:")
System.print("  " + pairs.join("\n  "))

Output:

Before sorting:
  {grass, green}
  {snow, white}
  {sky, blue}
  {cherry, red}

After sorting:
  {cherry, red}
  {grass, green}
  {sky, blue}
  {snow, white}

XPL0

include c:\cxpl\stdlib;
char Dict(10,10);
int  Entries;

proc BSort(A, N);       \Bubble sort array A's key string into ascending order
char A;                 \address of array
int  N;                 \number of items in array (size)
int  B, I, J, T;
[B:= A;                 \B(I) accesses 32-bit pointers, not A(I) 8-bit bytes
for J:= N-1 downto 0 do
    for I:= 0 to J-1 do
        if StrCmp(A(I,1), A(I+1,1)) > 0 then
            [T:= B(I);  B(I):= B(I+1);  B(I+1):= T];    \swap pointers
];

proc AddEntry(Letter, Greek);   \Insert entry into associative array
char Letter, Greek;
[Dict(Entries,0):= Letter;
StrCopy(Greek, @Dict(Entries,1));
Entries:= Entries+1;            \(limit checks ignored for simplicity)
];

int I;
[Entries:= 0;
AddEntry(^A, "alpha");          \add items in arbitrary order
AddEntry(^D, "delta");
AddEntry(^B, "beta");
AddEntry(^C, "gamma");
BSort(Dict, Entries);           \sort entries by Greek name
for I:= 0 to Entries-1 do       \show sorted entries
    [ChOut(0, Dict(I,0));  ChOut(0, ^ );  Text(0, @Dict(I,1));  CrLf(0)];
]

Output:

A alpha
B beta
D delta
C gamma

zkl

The list of lists way is available or:

class P{var name,value;
   fcn init(nm,val){name,value=vm.arglist} 
   fcn __opLT(p){name<p.name}  // implementation of P1 < P2
}
// create list of pairs:
p:=List(P("sam","a"),P("fred","b"),P("chris","c"));
p.sort();
p.apply("name"); //-->L("chris","fred","sam")