C# - Sorting a list when it has more than one value per 'row' ?

Question

Exception: Failed to compare two elements in the array.

private void assignNames(DropDownList ddl, Hashtable names)
{
    List<ListItem> nameList = new List<ListItem>();
    if (ddl != null)
    {
        ddl.ClearSelection();
        ddl.Items.Add(new ListItem("Select Author"));
        foreach (string key in names.Keys)
        {
            nameList.Add(new ListItem(names[key].ToString(), key));

        }

    nameList.Sort();
}

So how can I use Sort() to compare on the "names" and not get stuck on the key?

Answer 1

what type of object is "names"?

EDIT: From what I can tell you will have to specify an IComparer for this to work, not sure if I fully understand what you are trying to do though.

EDIT: This is way too complicated for what I "feel" your intent is, you basically want to populate a dropdown list with a sorted list of Author names.

you should be able to have a

List<string> auhtorNames;
authorNames.Sort();
ddl.DataSource = authorNames;
ddl.DataBind();

Answer 2

Use ArrayList.Sort(IComparer) instead of ArrayList.Sort().

Answer 3

ListItem is not Comparable. you could use a System.Collections.Specialized.OrderedDictionary instead.

Answer 4

Provide a Comparison<T> to instruct the List on how to sort the items.

nameList.Sort(delegate(ListItem thisItem, ListItem otherItem) {
    return thisItem.Text.CompareTo(otherItem.Text);
});

You might also want to check for null to be complete, unless you already know there won't be any, as in this case.

Answer 5

nameList=nameList.OrderBy(li => li.Text).ToList();