---
name: sort
status: documented
runtime: pp
source: src/runtime/pp/aggregate.rs
---
```{index} single: sort; Perl built-in (pp runtime)
```

# sort

## Synopsis

```perl
my @sorted = sort @list;                    # lexicographic
my @sorted = sort { $a <=> $b } @list;      # numeric
my @sorted = sort { $b cmp $a } @list;      # reverse lexicographic
my @sorted = sort \&compare, @list;          # named comparator
```

## Description

Sorts a list of values and returns them in sorted order.

Sorts the input list according to the comparison mode determined by
the op's private flags:

- **Default (string):** Lexicographic comparison via `cmp`.
- **Numeric** (`OPpSORT_NUMERIC`, 0x01): Floating-point comparison.
- **Custom block** (`OPpSORT_BLOCK`, 0x20): A CV on the stack is
  used as the comparator. `$a` and `$b` are set in the current
  package via cached cells and the CV is executed using the
  multicall pattern (pad + call frame set up once, only `$a`/`$b`
  updates per comparison) with a merge-sort algorithm.
- **Descend** (`OPpSORT_DESCEND`, 0x08): Reverses the final result.

Array arguments are flattened before sorting.

## See also

reverse, map, grep