Simple Python question: Why can't I assign a variable to a sorted list (in place)?

user_12662522 0
Viewed 2303
y = [1, 3, 2, 4]
x = y.sort()
print(x)

x is None. How come this sort of syntax works in, for example, Javascript, and not Python?

python
3 Answers

sort (and reverse) change the list in-place.

If you want, you can use sorted:

x = sorted(y)

This is explained in the section Data Structures in the documentation.

user_15139330

Here, y.sort() sorts y and can't be assigned to another variable.Here, you could use sorted() like x = sorted(y) or:

x = [i for i in sorted(y)]

Or lets use a beautiful one-liner:

x = [y.pop(y.index(min(y))) for i in range(len(y))]
user_130628130

Because sort() is an operation that is executed in place (it doesn't need to be re-assigned). It returns None, just like append(), extend(), and other list methods.

user_109083750
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