Sort Multidimensional Array in VB.NET

Question

I have a 2X50 array like this-

R-125212,11
C-254645,25
R-456598,96
M-456878,35
O-980857,89
And so on...

Now I want to sort this array with the values of the 2nd Column. So the output should look like-

R-125212,11
C-254645,25
M-456878,35
O-980857,89
R-456598,96
And so on...

How to do this with VB.NET easily? If there is other better way to have the similar result without using array, that also will help me.

Answer 1

There are many possible solutions to your question, but in my experience the best is to use a System.Data.DataTable:

Dim dtb As New System.Data.DataTable
dtb.Columns.Add("Column1")
dtb.Columns.Add("Column2", GetType(Integer))
dtb.Rows.Add("Z-123456", 2)
dtb.Rows.Add("R-125212", 11)
dtb.Rows.Add("C-254645", 25)
dtb.Rows.Add("R-456598", 96)
dtb.Rows.Add("M-456878", 35)
dtb.Rows.Add("O-980857", 89)
Dim dvw As DataView = dtb.DefaultView
dvw.Sort = "Column2 ASC"
Dim dtbSorted As DataTable = dvw.ToTable()
DataGridView1.DataSource = dtbSorted

Answer 2

I would recommend the use of a List(Of Tuple) instead of an array. It is more dynamic. Please check this code:

Sub SortList()
    'Declare the List Of Tuple with a Tuple of Char, Integer, Integer
    Dim lstToSort As New List(Of Tuple(Of Char, Integer, Integer))
    'Example to Add items
    lstToSort.Add(Tuple.Create("R"c, 250645, 11))
    lstToSort.Add(Tuple.Create("C"c, 125212, 25))
    'Sort is just 1 line
    lstToSort = lstToSort.OrderBy(Function(i) i.Item2).ToList
    'Loop through the elements to print them
    For Each tpl As Tuple(Of Char, Integer, Integer) In lstToSort
        Console.WriteLine(tpl.Item1 & "-" & tpl.Item2 & "," & tpl.Item3)
    Next
End Sub

Edit: Given your edit on the question here is the code fixed:

Sub SortList()
    'Declare the List Of Tuple with a tuple of String, Integer
    Dim lstToSort As New List(Of Tuple(Of String, Integer))
    'Example to add items
    lstToSort.Add(Tuple.Create("R-250645", 11))
    lstToSort.Add(Tuple.Create("C-125212", 25))
    'Sort is just 1 line
    lstToSort = lstToSort.OrderBy(Function(i) i.Item2).ToList
    'Loop through the elements to print them
    For Each tpl As Tuple(Of String, Integer) In lstToSort
        Console.WriteLine(tpl.Item1 & "," & tpl.Item2)
    Next
End Sub

Give it a try and let me know your comments