# sortedArray(_:context:) Returns a new array that lists the receiving array’s elements in ascending order as defined by the comparison function `comparator`. ``` func sortedArray(_ comparator: (Any, Any, UnsafeMutableRawPointer?) -> Int, context: UnsafeMutableRawPointer?) -> [Any] ``` ## Discussion The new array contains references to the receiving array’s elements, not copies of them. The comparison function is used to compare two elements at a time and should return `NSOrderedAscending` if the first element is smaller than the second, `NSOrderedDescending` if the first element is larger than the second, and `NSOrderedSame` if the elements are equal. Each time the comparison function is called, it’s passed `context` as its third argument. This allows the comparison to be based on some outside parameter, such as whether character sorting is case-sensitive or case-insensitive. Given `anArray` (an array of `NSNumber` objects) and a comparison function of this type: ```objc NSInteger intSort(id num1, id num2, void *context) { int v1 = [num1 intValue]; int v2 = [num2 intValue]; if (v1 < v2) return NSOrderedAscending; else if (v1 > v2) return NSOrderedDescending; else return NSOrderedSame; } ``` A sorted version of `anArray` is created in this way: ```objc NSArray *sortedArray; sortedArray = [anArray sortedArrayUsingFunction:intSort context:NULL]; ``` --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)