sortWithReference

Sorts an array based on the order defined in a reference array. Elements present in the reference array are sorted according to their order in the reference, while elements not in the reference array are placed after the sorted elements.

Signature

const sortWithReference: <Value>(source: Value[], reference?: Value[]) => Value[]

Parameters

Name	Type	Description
source	-	The array to be sorted
reference	-	The reference array that defines the sorting order

Returns

A new sorted array without modifying the original target array

Examples

Example 1

const target = ['c', 'a', 'b', 'd'];
const reference = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
const result = sortWithReference(target, reference);
// Returns: ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

Playground

const target = ['c', 'a', 'b', 'd'];
const reference = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
const result = sortWithReference(target, reference);
// Returns: ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

Notes

• Time complexity: O(n + m) where n is target length and m is reference length
• Space complexity: O(n + m) with minimal object creation
• Elements not present in the reference array maintain their relative order at the end
• The original target array is not modified (immutable operation)
• Handles duplicate elements correctly