What is the difference between "sort" and "sorted" in Python?

Question

Jayant Kumar · Accepted Answer

Table of Contents
Introduction
In Python, sorting is a common operation for organizing data. The sort method and the sorted function are two primary ways to sort data, specifically lists. Although both are used to order elements, they have distinct differences in how they operate and their effect on the original data. This article explores these differences, providing practical examples to illustrate when to use each method.
Key Differences Between sort and sorted
1. In-Place vs. New List

**sort**: The sort method sorts a list in place, meaning it modifies the original list and does not return a new list. This method is only available for lists.
**sorted**: The sorted function returns a new sorted list from the elements of any iterable (such as lists, tuples, and strings), leaving the original iterable unchanged.

Example:
# Using sort
my_list = [3, 1, 4, 1, 5]
my_list.sort()  # Sorts the list in place
print(my_list)  # Output: [1, 1, 3, 4, 5]

# Using sorted
my_list = [3, 1, 4, 1, 5]
new_list = sorted(my_list)  # Returns a new sorted list
print(my_list)  # Output: [3, 1, 4, 1, 5]
print(new_list)  # Output: [1, 1, 3, 4, 5]

2. Return Value

**sort**: Returns None. Since it sorts the list in place, it does not produce a new list.
**sorted**: Returns a new list that contains the sorted elements of the original iterable.

Example:
# Using sort
result = my_list.sort()  # Returns None
print(result)  # Output: None

# Using sorted
result = sorted(my_list)  # Returns a new sorted list
print(result)  # Output: [1, 1, 3, 4, 5]

3. Usability with Different Iterables

**sort**: Can only be used with lists.
**sorted**: Can be used with any iterable, including lists, tuples, and strings.

Example:
# Using sorted with different iterables
tuple_data = (3, 1, 4, 1, 5)
sorted_tuple = sorted(tuple_data)
print(sorted_tuple)  # Output: [1, 1, 3, 4, 5]

string_data = "python"
sorted_string = sorted(string_data)
print(sorted_string)  # Output: ['h', 'n', 'o', 'p', 't', 'y']

Practical Examples
Example : Sorting a List in Place with sort
# Original list
numbers = [9, 3, 1, 4, 7]

# Sorting in place
numbers.sort()
print(numbers)  # Output: [1, 3, 4, 7, 9]

Example : Creating a Sorted Copy of a List with sorted
# Original list
numbers = [9, 3, 1, 4, 7]

# Creating a sorted copy
sorted_numbers = sorted(numbers)
print(numbers)       # Output: [9, 3, 1, 4, 7]
print(sorted_numbers)  # Output: [1, 3, 4, 7, 9]

Example : Sorting a Tuple
# Original tuple
my_tuple = (3, 1, 4, 1, 5)

# Creating a sorted tuple
sorted_tuple = sorted(my_tuple)
print(sorted_tuple)  # Output: [1, 1, 3, 4, 5]

Conclusion
The sort method and the sorted function in Python both serve to sort elements, but they do so in different ways. sort modifies the original list in place and returns None, while sorted creates and returns a new sorted list, leaving the original iterable unchanged. Understanding these differences helps you choose the appropriate method based on whether you need to preserve the original data or work with different types of iterables.

What is the difference between "sort" and "sorted" in Python?

Table of Contents

Introduction

Key Differences Between `sort` and `sorted`

1. In-Place vs. New List

Example:

2. Return Value

Example:

3. Usability with Different Iterables

Example:

Practical Examples

Example : Sorting a List in Place with `sort`

Example : Creating a Sorted Copy of a List with `sorted`

Example : Sorting a Tuple

Conclusion

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