Sort array in the sourcefile

Question

I have written a script using Notepad++, and in it I have hardcoded an array. This is a script which I have expanded on over the years, and thus the array have gotten "unsorted". Let's say that it now looks something like this:

my_array[0] = "bb";
my_array[1] = "aa";
my_array[2] = "cc";
my_array[3] = "ab";

What I want to do is make it look like this instead:

my_array[0] = "aa";
my_array[1] = "ab";
my_array[2] = "bb";
my_array[3] = "cc";

I.e. I want to "sort" the array so it looks nicer in the script-file, and so that it is easier to find any value I may want to alter in it.

Is there any functionality for altering the text in the script in such a manner in Notepad++? If so, how would I go about doing it?

Answer 1

I couldn't find a straight-forward way to do this sort of column-based sorting, although there might be a plugin available that can help (for the record TextFX didn't work). Here's the slightly roundabout way instead:

1. Use Alt+mouse or Shift+Alt+arrow keys to select only the array indices 0-3 and delete them. You'll end up with:

   my_array[] = "bb";
   my_array[] = "aa";
   my_array[] = "cc";
   my_array[] = "ab";
   

2. Selecting Edit menu > Line Operations > Sort Lines in Ascending Order will result in this:

   my_array[] = "aa";
   my_array[] = "ab";
   my_array[] = "bb";
   my_array[] = "cc";
   

3. Now position the text cursor between the two square brackets in the first line. Go to Edit menu > Column Editor (or press Alt+C), enter the values as shown below and click OK:

   

   Final result will be what you want, i.e.:

   my_array[0] = "aa";
   my_array[1] = "ab";
   my_array[2] = "bb";
   my_array[3] = "cc";