The natsort() function is an inbuilt function in PHP which is used to sort an array by using a “natural order” algorithm. The natural order tells the order to be used as a normal human being would use. That is, it does not check the type of value for comparison. For example, in string representation 30 is less than 7 according to the standard sorting algorithm as 3 comes before 7 lexicographically. But in natural order 30 is greater than 7.
Syntax:
bool natsort(array)
Parameters: This function accepts a single parameter $array. It is the array which natsort() function is going to sort.
Return Value: It returns a boolean value i.e., TRUE on success and FALSE on failure.
Below programs illustrate the natsort() function in PHP:
Program 1:
<?php // input array $arr1 = array("12.jpeg", "10.jpeg", "2.jpeg", "1.jpeg"); $arr2 = $arr1; // sorting using sort function. sort($arr1); // printing sorted element. echo "Standard sorting\n"; print_r($arr1); // sorting using natsort() function. natsort($arr2); // printing sorted element. echo "\nNatural order sorting\n"; print_r($arr2); ?> |
Output:
Standard sorting
Array
(
[3] => 1.jpeg
[1] => 10.jpeg
[0] => 12.jpeg
[2] => 2.jpeg
)
Natural order sorting
Array
(
[3] => 1.jpeg
[2] => 2.jpeg
[1] => 10.jpeg
[0] => 12.jpeg
)
Program 2:
<?php // input array $arr = array("gfg15.jpeg", "gfg10.jpeg", "gfg1.jpeg", "gfg22.jpeg", "gfg2.jpeg"); // sorting using natsort() function. natsort($arr); // printing sorted element. echo "\nNatural order sorting\n"; print_r($arr); ?> |
Output:
Natural order sorting
Array
(
[2] => gfg1.jpeg
[4] => gfg2.jpeg
[1] => gfg10.jpeg
[0] => gfg15.jpeg
[3] => gfg22.jpeg
)
