`sorted()` Function in Python [ English ]

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1. Introduction

The sorted() function in Python is a built-in function used to sort the elements of an iterable object such as a list, tuple, string, or dictionary. It returns a new sorted list containing all the elements of the iterable.

Unlike the sort() method of lists, the sorted() function does not modify the original object. Instead, it creates and returns a new list with the elements arranged in sorted order.

By default, sorted() arranges elements in ascending order, but it can also sort in descending order or according to a custom sorting rule.

2. Syntax

sorted(iterable, key=None, reverse=False)

Parameters

1. iterableThe collection of elements to be sorted (list, tuple, string, etc.).

2. key (optional)A function that specifies the value used for sorting.

3. reverse (optional)If True, the elements are sorted in descending order.Default value is False, which means ascending order.

Return Value

• Returns a new list containing the sorted elements.

3. Basic Example

numbers = [5, 2, 9, 1, 7] result = sorted(numbers) print(result)

Output

[1, 2, 5, 7, 9]

Explanation

• The list numbers is sorted in ascending order.
• The original list remains unchanged.

4. Example with Descending Order

numbers = [5, 2, 9, 1, 7] result = sorted(numbers, reverse=True) print(result)

Output

[9, 7, 5, 2, 1]

Explanation

• The parameter reverse=True sorts the elements in descending order.

5. Example with a String

text = "python" result = sorted(text) print(result)

Output

['h', 'n', 'o', 'p', 't', 'y']

Explanation

• The characters of the string are sorted alphabetically.
• The result is returned as a list of characters.

6. Example with a Tuple

numbers = (8, 3, 6, 1) result = sorted(numbers) print(result)

Output

[1, 3, 6, 8]

Explanation

• Even though the input is a tuple, the output is always a list.

7. Example with key Parameter

words = ["apple", "banana", "kiwi", "cherry"] result = sorted(words, key=len) print(result)

Output

['kiwi', 'apple', 'banana', 'cherry']

Explanation

• The key=len tells Python to sort words based on their length rather than alphabetical order.

8. Sorting a Dictionary

data = {"b": 2, "a": 1, "c": 3} result = sorted(data) print(result)

Output

['a', 'b', 'c']

Explanation

• When sorting a dictionary, sorted() sorts the keys.

9. Difference Between sorted() and list.sort()

Example:

numbers = [4, 2, 8] sorted_numbers = sorted(numbers) print(sorted_numbers)print(numbers)

Output:

[2, 4, 8][4, 2, 8]

10. Summary

• sorted() is a built-in Python function used to sort iterable objects.
• It returns a new list containing sorted elements.
• The original iterable remains unchanged.
• Sorting can be controlled using the key and reverse parameters.
• It works with lists, tuples, strings, dictionaries, and other iterable objects.