Question

I am completely new to using string arrays. Consider this example:

I have the following values in a text box:

bufallo@2000
lice@20
cell@1
rat@150
cow@10000

When I sort them, they are sorted alphabetically, as in the list above. However, I need them to sort in descending order using the integer value that follows the @ symbol. So, for instance, I want the above list to be sorted like this:

cow@10000
bufallo@2000
rat@150
lice@20
cell@1

I have no idea on how to arrange them in descending order like that.

Answer 1

You want to order by the numeric part of the string? No need for Regex.

You can use String.Split and Enumerable.OrderByDescending:

Dim number As Int32 = Int32.MinValue
Dim orderedLines = From line In TextBox1.Lines
                   Let parts = line.Split("@"c)
                   Let numericPart = parts.Last()
                   Let success = Int32.TryParse(numericPart, number)
                   Select LineInfo = New With {line, number}
                   Order By LineInfo.number Descending
                   Select LineInfo.line
' if you want to reassign it to the TextBox:
TextBox1.Lines = orderedLines.ToArray()