Sorted
sorted is a Python built-in function that returns a new list containing an iterable’s elements in sorted order without modifying the original iterable.
Python Workout: 50 ten-minute exercises
sorted is a Python built-in function that returns the elements of an iterable in sorted order as a new list.
- How it is used
- Uses sorted to order characters, sequences, records, and other iterable data while producing a separate list.
- How deep it goes
- Explains returned-list behavior and key-based ordering with exercises, but stops short of sorting algorithm internals.
- Examples
- Demonstrates sorted characters, alphabetized names, phone-book dictionaries, database-style tuples, and derived ordering criteria.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Python’s built-in sorted to order iterable data and design custom key functions for multi-field or derived criteria.
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Python Workout, Second Edition
sorted is a Python built-in function that returns a new list containing the items from an iterable in sorted order.
- How it is used
- Sorts iterable elements while supporting derived comparison keys for strings, collections, and structured records.
- How deep it goes
- Explains return types and key-call behavior through worked string, list, tuple, and dictionary examples, without implementation internals.
- Examples
- Uses sorted characters, variable-length strings, country dictionaries, and database-style tuples as practice data.
- What you can do after
- Apply sorted to iterable data, reconstruct strings with join, and order records through named or inline key functions.
Tiny Python Projects: Learn coding and testing with puzzles and games
sorted is a Python built-in function that returns a new list containing the sorted elements of an iterable without modifying the original.
- How it is used
- Uses sorted() to order picnic items or stabilize a word collection before random sampling.
- How deep it goes
- Distinguishes returned lists from in-place mutation, demonstrates numeric and mixed-type behavior, and stops short of advanced sorting arguments.
- Examples
- Demonstrates picnic-item sorting, REPL list comparisons, numeric ordering, password-word preparation, and test-driven command-line work.
- What you can do after
- Apply sorted() to preserve input data, order command-line items, and make set-based random sampling deterministic for tests.
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Get Programming: Learn to code with Python
A Python built-in function that returns a new list containing the items of an iterable in sorted order.
- How it is used
- Preserves an original list while producing a sorted list for later use.
- How deep it goes
- Demonstrates the return value and contrasts copying with in-place sorting, without discussing sorting internals.
- Examples
- Uses a kid_ages list to show sorted output alongside the unchanged original.
- What you can do after
- Apply sorted to create an ordered list without modifying the source list.
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The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition
sorted is a Python built-in function that returns a new list containing the items of an iterable in sorted order.
- How it is used
- Sorts any iterable into a new list when preserving the input or ordering dictionary keys and other non-list iterables matters.
- How deep it goes
- Explains return behavior, ordering options, comparison rules, custom keys, and memory trade-offs without descending into sorting internals.
- Examples
- Uses tuples, text lines, nested lists, mixed types, case-insensitive keys, sliced keys, and temperature-median calculations.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Python to create sorted copies, reverse results, customize comparisons, and choose between memory-preserving and in-place alternatives.
Read how The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition explains sorted →
Related concepts
- listproduces · A list is an ordered collection of elements arranged in a sequence.
- iterableuses · An iterable is an object or value that provides or supports a protocol for producing its elements sequentially.
- sorting algorithmcontrasts with · A sorting algorithm is a procedure that arranges elements of a collection into an order determined by a specified criterion.
- functionuses · A function is a defined operation that maps inputs to outputs and, when implemented as a callable program unit, may also produce effects.
- inputconfigures · An input is a value, information, or signal supplied to a system, computation, or interface for processing or to influence its behavior.
- list()produces · list() is Python’s built-in constructor that creates a new list from an iterable, or an empty list when called without arguments.
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