Sorting

sorting
    n 1: an operation that segregates items into groups according to
         a specified criterion; "the bottleneck in mail delivery is
         the process of sorting" [syn: {sort}, {sorting}]
    2: the basic cognitive process of arranging into classes or
       categories [syn: {classification}, {categorization},
       {categorisation}, {sorting}]
    3: grouping by class or kind or size
    

Sort \Sort\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sorted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Sorting}.]
   1. To separate, and place in distinct classes or divisions,
      as things having different qualities; as, to sort cloths
      according to their colors; to sort wool or thread
      according to its fineness.
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            Rays which differ in refrangibility may be parted
            and sorted from one another.          --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
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   2. To reduce to order from a confused state. --Hooker.
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   3. To conjoin; to put together in distribution; to class.
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            Shellfish have been, by some of the ancients,
            compared and sorted with insects.     --Bacon.
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            She sorts things present with things past. --Sir J.
                                                  Davies.
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   4. To choose from a number; to select; to cull.
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            That he may sort out a worthy spouse. --Chapman.
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            I'll sort some other time to visit you. --Shak.
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   5. To conform; to adapt; to accommodate. [R.]
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            I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience. --Shak.
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sort
sorting

   1. <application, algorithm> To arrange a collection of items
   in some specified order.  The items - {records} in a file or
   data structures in memory - consist of one or more {fields} or
   members.  One of these fields is designated as the "sort key"
   which means the records will be ordered according to the value
   of that field.  Sometimes a sequence of key fields is
   specified such that if all earlier keys are equal then the
   later keys will be compared.  Within each field some ordering
   is imposed, e.g. ascending or descending numerical, {lexical
   ordering}, or date.

   Sorting is the subject of a great deal of study since it is a
   common operation which can consume a lot of computer time.
   There are many well-known sorting {algorithms} with different
   time and space behaviour and programming {complexity}.

   Examples are {quicksort}, {insertion sort}, {bubble sort},
   {heap sort}, and {tree sort}.  These employ many different
   data structures to store sorted data, such as {arrays},
   {linked lists}, and {binary trees}.

   2. <tool> The {Unix} utility program for sorting lines of
   files.

   {Unix manual page}: sort(1).

   (1997-02-12)
    

53 Moby Thesaurus words for "sorting":
      EDP, analysis, analyzing, appraisal, arrangement, assessment,
      assortment, cataloging, categorization, classification,
      classifying, codification, collating, computer technology,
      computer typesetting, computing, culling, data processing,
      data retrieval, division, electronic data processing, evaluation,
      factoring, filing, gauging, gradation, grading, grouping,
      high-speed data handling, identification, indexing,
      machine computation, pigeonholing, placement, ranging, ranking,
      rating, reporting, scanning, screening, selection, sifting,
      sifting out, sorting out, stratification, subdivision,
      subordination, tabulation, taxonomy, triage, typology, weighing,
      winnowing