This Sort Lists lesson is for a beginner. Read the short notes, run each example, then change one name or number and run it again.
sorted returns a new list and leaves the original alone. sort changes the list you already have.
reverse=True sorts from high to low. key= chooses the value used for the comparison.
Example 1: Start here
sorted(marks) does not change marks. marks.sort does.
marks = [82, 71, 90] # a list; the values stay in this order
print(sorted(marks)) # a new list, sorted
marks.sort(reverse=True) # sort this list in place
print(marks)
Example 2: Sort numbers
sort changes the list itself and puts the smallest number first.
scores = [82, 60, 91] # a list; the values stay in this order
scores.sort() # sort this list in place
print(scores)
Example 3: Sort descending
reverse=True puts the largest number first.
scores = [82, 60, 91] # a list; the values stay in this order
scores.sort(reverse=True) # sort this list in place
print(scores)
Example 4: Sort without changing the original
sorted returns a new list. The original scores stay in the old order.
scores = [82, 60, 91] # a list; the values stay in this order
print(sorted(scores)) # a new list, sorted
print(scores)
sorted(marks) does not change marks. marks.sort does.
