[SOLVED] how to sort filenames numerically.

shravee · 10-01-2009, 12:45 AM

hi,

I am using Red hat linux .. i just wanted to know , is it possible to arrange or sort filenames numerically ?

i have saved several files with the follwing names : 1.png, 2.png, 3.png, 4.png ...... 11.png 12.png. and so on....

but the containing folder sorts this alphabetically in the following manner
11,12,13...... 1, 2, 3, and so on...

regards
shravee

Ralfredo · 10-01-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

is it possible to arrange or sort filenames numerically ?

i have saved several files with the follwing names : 1.png, 2.png, 3.png, 4.png ...... 11.png 12.png. and so on....

but the containing folder sorts this alphabetically in the following manner
11,12,13...... 1, 2, 3, and so on...

Try:

Code:

ls | sort -n

And see if that does what you want.

shravee · 10-01-2009, 01:42 AM

hi ralfredo,

i tried the command and it works fine in terminal or konsole.

in case of GUI whenever i open the folder, the order appears in the same view..

i followed the foll: view > sort > by type/ by size/ by case sensitive and so on........

but none could solve my issue or satisfy my requirement.

regards

shravee

lutusp · 10-01-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shravee

hi ralfredo,

i tried the command and it works fine in terminal or konsole.

in case of GUI whenever i open the folder, the order appears in the same view..

i followed the foll: view > sort > by type/ by size/ by case sensitive and so on........

but none could solve my issue or satisfy my requirement.

regards

shravee

You have two choices:

1. Rewrite the GUI file utility to meet your needs (the source is available to you).

2. Rename the files so they have enough digits to naturally sort numerically.

The second way sounds like a better idea. Files with one- and two-digit prefixes should be renamed to have four-digit prefixes:

1.png -> 0001.png
2.png -> 0002.png
3.png -> 0003.png

10.png -> 0010.png
11.png -> 0011.png

This way, no matter how you list the files or in what environment, they will always sort as you expect.

vinaytp · 10-01-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shravee

hi ralfredo,

i tried the command and it works fine in terminal or konsole.

in case of GUI whenever i open the folder, the order appears in the same view..

i followed the foll: view > sort > by type/ by size/ by case sensitive and so on........

but none could solve my issue or satisfy my requirement.

regards

shravee

Hi shravee...

ls | sort -n will satisfy your requirment in command prompt...

But in GUI you will not be having as much options as you have in command prompt..its very limited....

you can observe here ls is combined with sort to get your work done in cmd prompt...Hope your requirement is not possible to meet through GUI..

If it is very much necessary for you then you have to develop your own browser using QT or GTK++ and add your option there....

shravee · 10-01-2009, 02:02 AM

hi lutusp,

As i am using red hat linux i dont have the source code available........

but tried ur second methos and it worked fine..........

but do let me know if there is a better solution, though i am following the above same.

-- shravee

lutusp · 10-01-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shravee

As i am using red hat linux i dont have the source code available

Actually yes, you do have the source code available. All Red Hat software is open-source by definition. The fact that you pay for some Red Hat products doesn't mean they don't publish the source (or are relieved of responsibility to publish the source).

But the choice to rename all your files with multi-digit numerical prefixes is the best, most robust approach in any case.