I'm thinking the way the file is sorted is something simple, yet something I don't recgonize! As a result, you'll see that my method is probably very over-complicated.
I have also posted some more data that is representative of what I have to work with. Both the comparison function I'm using and the sample data are attached if anyone wants to check it out. I appreicate any suggestions.
--As for the rest, it is mine.
Quick question: is this data more representative than the data in the first email? In particular, does set 4 from the first email actually exist, exactly as listed, anywhere?
If this latter data is more representative I'd bet on ASCIIbetical ordering: Compare each string one character at a time based on it's ASCII encoding, and stop the comparison at the first different character. Don't think of numbers or punctuation as anything different, just handle them the same.
Daniel T. Staal
--------------------------------------------------------------- This email copyright the author. Unless otherwise noted, you are expressly allowed to retransmit, quote, or otherwise use the contents for non-commercial purposes. This copyright will expire 5 years after the author's death, or in 30 years, whichever is longer, unless such a period is in excess of local copyright law. ---------------------------------------------------------------
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://learn.perl.org/> <http://learn.perl.org/first-response>
