How to sort a table using javascript?

Question

I have an HTML table with about 100 rows and 3 columns. I have onclick events attached to all 3 of my column headers. What must I do in Javascript to easily sort the table by that column? I can think of a fully blown hand-written approach, but I'm not sure if there are any built-in functions for such a seemingly common operation.

If I have to do this by hand, I'd probably sort the array I used to generate the table in the first place, and simply re-create the table after the sort. Any advice?

Answer 1

Why reinvent the wheel?

Answer 2

There are no built-in functions for this, since it's ultimately DOM manipulation. Sorting the array and re-generating the table sounds ideal.

Answer 3

Why reinvent the wheel? :)

You can use the tablesorter plugin. It does exactly what you need!

Answer 4

There isn't a built in function, but its been done before, lots! Try TableSorter