Sort field
A sort field is a section of a database or program that allows users to dictate the specific field or attribute upon which data records are sorted. More plainly, a sort field allows a user to choose the display order of search results or object values. Users can often select several sort fields, nesting one within another for more refined results.
Sorting fields are fundamental in data management because they help organize and present data meaningfully, making information easier for users to find and analyze.
Sort field examples
When records are sorted, it's usually in ascending or descending order based on the value of a particular field. For example, if you have a database of books, the "Title" field could be chosen. This sort displays the book titles in alphabetical order (from A to Z) or reverse alphabetical order (from Z to A), depending on the user's preference. Similarly, if you were dealing with yearly earnings, "Salary" could be used to sort a company's employees based on how much they take home each year.