Javascript Sort Array Of Objects By A Boolean Property

Sorting elements within an array of objects can be incredibly useful in JavaScript, especially when you need to organize data based on specific properties. Sorting by boolean values can be a handy way to quickly arrange objects based on their true or false status. In this article, we will guide you through how to sort an array of objects by a boolean property in JavaScript.

Let's start with a simple example. Suppose we have an array of objects representing tasks, with each object having a "completed" property that is either true or false:

const tasks = [
  { id: 1, description: 'Finish project', completed: false },
  { id: 2, description: 'Submit report', completed: true },
  { id: 3, description: 'Prepare presentation', completed: false }
];

To sort this array of objects by the "completed" property in ascending order (false first, true second), we can use the `sort()` method along with a custom sorting function:

tasks.sort((a, b) => a.completed - b.completed);

In this sorting function, if `a.completed` is less than `b.completed`, the function will return a negative value, pushing `a` before `b` in the sorted array. If `a.completed` is greater than `b.completed`, the function will return a positive value, placing `b` before `a`. If the values are equal, there will be no changes in their order.

After using the `sort()` method with this custom sorting function, the `tasks` array will be sorted based on the "completed" property. Objects with `completed: false` will come before those with `completed: true`.

If you want to sort the array in descending order, you can reverse the comparison in the custom sorting function:

tasks.sort((a, b) => b.completed - a.completed);

Now, the `tasks` array will be sorted in descending order based on the "completed" property, with objects having `completed: true` appearing before objects with `completed: false`.

It's essential to understand that the `sort()` method sorts the array in place and mutates the original array. If you want to keep the original array unchanged, make a copy of the array before sorting:

const sortedTasks = [...tasks].sort((a, b) => a.completed - b.completed);

By creating a new array using the spread operator `[...tasks]`, you can sort the copy while preserving the original order in `tasks`.

In conclusion, sorting an array of objects by a boolean property in JavaScript can be achieved efficiently by utilizing the `sort()` method with a custom sorting function. Whether you need to arrange tasks, filter data, or organize information, understanding how to sort arrays of objects based on boolean properties will enhance your programming skills and help you manipulate data effectively in your JavaScript projects.