`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. iterable The 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.