Hi,

I'm trying to create a facility which allows the user to sort a returned set of values based on column headings. Any ideas?

Any feedback is appreciated,

Regards

Assuming your dataset is paginated, the simplest was is to make the column headings links that add a parameter to that determines the sort order when you pull the result from the database.
eg.
This can easily be extended by doing things such as:

• making the links dynamic, allowing asc or desc ordering.
• adding html/css to highlight the sorted row (eg. an arrow)
• storing the order in a session/cookie so it is persisted if the user returns to the page
• performing the lookup via JavaScript (Ajax) to avoid a page load.

Depends what you want to achieve.

__________________
Brenton Alker
Brisbane, Australia

http://blog.tekerson.com/

Hello ,

see this link : sorttable: Make all your tables sortable
I user sortable with Javascript and it so fast .

Hello,

In addition to providing initial sorting functionality, anticipate the the user will want to vary their sorting once they have it on the page just by clicking the column header. While functionality such as passing parameters to the controller to return the data from the database in a particular sort order, it does increase the amount of server-side code and logic to handle the sorting. Also, when and if you change the number of columns, you'll have to cascade the change across your sorting logic. Not to mention the page refresh each time.

In most cases, implementing a client-side sortable grid (table) would be the best solution. Work with the customer to determine their preferred default sort, and let them change the sort of the data at the client-side (no need for page refresh or AJAX call - assuming the data stays the same based on sort).

I highly suggest you check out dojo, as ZF is currently integrating Dojo. Do a little reading on building a grid (some great ones available as dojoX components), you'll probably be suprised how easy it is.

Even if you have a paginated data source, implementing an AJAX call back to the server is quite easy using Dojo. Get use to it now...it will be here soon =)

Hope this helps,

Steve

__________________
Steve Siebert
Zend Certified Engineer
General Dynamics IT
www.get-dev.com