C# How to sort a list of objects by any property

Question

public class SortExample
{
  public int IntField {get; set;}

  public string StringField {get; set;}

  public DateTime DateField {get; set;}
}

This class is set as a source for a listview and the sortExpression param passed in function below is property name with sort order 'IntField ASC' 'IntField DESC' 'StringField ASC' 'StringField DESC'

public void SortExampleMethod(string sortExpression)
{
   List<SortExample> list = new  List<SortExample>();
   list.OrderBy(sortExpression);
}

Is the only way to implement this is to write a Comparator for every property or something in LINQ allows this to be done easily?

I imagine you're looking for something like `list.OrderBy(x=>x.IntField).ThenByDescending(x=>x.StringField)`, but your question is so poor, it's hard to guess what you want. — spender, May 25 '18 at 12:18
Check this out: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3309188/how-to-sort-a-listt-by-a-property-in-the-object?rq=1 — Alvin, May 25 '18 at 12:21
Possible duplicate of [How to Sort a List by a property in the object](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3309188/how-to-sort-a-listt-by-a-property-in-the-object) — Sinatr, May 25 '18 at 12:23
@Sinatr No it is not duplicate: read last line "Is the only way to implement this is to write a Comparator for every property or something in LINQ allows this to be done easily?" I think, he already knows this solution but want better solution (he might want reflection) — Amit, May 25 '18 at 12:28
You want dynamic LINQ. The answer you're looking for is here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/233505/3294832 — Ric .Net, May 25 '18 at 12:29

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 25 '18 at 14:01

3

To do what you need, you can use LINQ Dynamic Query Library which allows you to pass string to your OrderBy.

ex: var result = list.OrderBy("intField asc");

Here full tutorial

https://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/dynamic-linq-part-1-using-the-linq-dynamic-query-library

Another Solution is to make the method accepts Expression class

public void sort(Expression<Func<TEntity, S>> orderByExpression, bool ascending)
{

List<SortExample> list = new  List<SortExample>();
if(ascending)
{
   list.OrderBy(orderByExpression);
}
else
   list.OrderByDescneding(orderByExpression);
}

edited May 25 '18 at 14:01

Nashmár

364
1
4
20

answered May 25 '18 at 12:27

Hany Habib

1,249
1
10
18

Thanks! My solution was a slight variation of this 'list.AsQueryable().OrderBy(sortExpression).ToList()' – user3865946 May 25 '18 at 13:40

score -2 · Answer 2 · answered May 25 '18 at 12:20

-2

Somthing like:

list.OrderBy(x => x.property);

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb534966.aspx

answered May 25 '18 at 12:20

DannyP

25
5

3

oh dear! put some effort in explaining how he will effectively use it. – Amit May 25 '18 at 12:21
Hello Danny next time you post the answer give justifications and guidelines where the guy can follow – Hany Habib May 25 '18 at 13:08

C# How to sort a list of objects by any property

2 Answers2