Sorts the elements of the given list. The sorting can either be alphabetic or numeric, and in either ascending or descending order.
Null, missing, and empty values are considered to be the 'lowest' elements in both numeric and alphabetic sorting.
Examples
somelist{0} = 3
somelist{1} = 17
somelist{2} = 4
somelist{3} = 9
somelist{4} = 2
and the list name is set to somelist{}, then the feature leaving the transformer will have these attributes:
somelist{0} = 2
somelist{1} = 3
somelist{2} = 4
somelist{3} = 9
somelist{4} = 17
Note that if there were other attributes in the list "parallel" to the attribute being operated on, these will also be moved in the list to stay in "parallel" with the key attribute.
For example, if the input feature had these attributes:
somelist{0}.kind = 'paved'
somelist{0}.count = 3
somelist{1}.kind = 'smooth'
somelist{1}.count = 17
somelist{2}.kind = 'trail'
somelist{2}.count = 4
somelist{3}.kind = 'rough'
somelist{3}.count = 9
somelist{4}.kind = 'logging'
somelist{4}.count = 2
and the list name is set to somelist{}.count, then the feature leaving the transformer will have these attributes:
somelist{0}.kind = 'logging'
somelist{0}.count = 2
somelist{1}.kind = 'paved'
somelist{1}.count = 3
somelist{2}.kind = 'trail'
somelist{2}.count = 4
somelist{3}.kind = 'rough'
somelist{3}.count = 9
somelist{4}.kind = 'smooth'
somelist{4}.count = 17
Lastly, if the original list was sparse, that is, it was missing some elements, the sorting operation will have the side effect of compacting the list to make all elements have consecutive indices. For example, if the input feature had these attributes:
somelist{0}.kind = 'paved'
somelist{0}.count = 3
somelist{3}.kind = 'rough'
somelist{3}.count = 9
somelist{4}.kind = 'logging'
somelist{4}.count = 2
and the list name is set to somelist{}.count, then the feature leaving the transformer will have these attributes:
somelist{0}.kind = 'logging'
somelist{0}.count = 2
somelist{1}.kind = 'paved'
somelist{1}.count = 3
somelist{2}.kind = 'rough'
somelist{2}.count = 9
Configuration
Input Ports
Input
Features containing a list attribute to be sorted.
Output Ports
Output
Features containing the sorted list attribute.
Parameters
General
|
List Attribute |
The name of the list that will be sorted by this transformer. |
|
Sorting Type |
|
|
Sorting Order |
|
Additional Resources
Editing Transformer Parameters
Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click 
beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.
Defining Values
There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.
How to Set Parameter Values
Using the Text Editor
The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Using the Arithmetic Editor
The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Conditional Values
Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.
Parameter Condition Definition Dialog
Content
Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more.
When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.
Content Types
| These functions manipulate and format strings. | |
|
Special Characters |
A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor. |
| Math functions are available in both editors. | |
| Date/Time Functions | Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor. |
| These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor. | |
| These return primarily feature-specific values. | |
| FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used. | |
| Creating and Modifying User Parameters | Create your own editable parameters. |
Dialog Options - Tables
Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.
Table Tools
|
Row Reordering
|
Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
|
|
Cut, Copy, and Paste
|
Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers. |
|
Filter
|
Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output. |
|
Import
|
Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers. |
|
Reset/Refresh
|
Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers. |
Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.
FME Community
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