BigInteger.CompareTo Method

Reference

Definition

Namespace:: System.Numerics

Assembly:: System.Runtime.Numerics.dll

Assembly:: System.Numerics.dll

Assembly:: netstandard.dll

Important

Some information relates to prerelease product that may be substantially modified before it’s released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Compares the value of this instance with another value and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the other value.

Overloads

CompareTo(Int64)	Compares this instance to a signed 64-bit integer and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the signed 64-bit integer.
CompareTo(BigInteger)	Compares this instance to a second BigInteger and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the specified object.
CompareTo(Object)	Compares this instance to a specified object and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the specified object.
CompareTo(UInt64)	Compares this instance to an unsigned 64-bit integer and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the unsigned 64-bit integer.

CompareTo(Int64)

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Compares this instance to a signed 64-bit integer and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the signed 64-bit integer.

public:
 int CompareTo(long other);

public int CompareTo (long other);

member this.CompareTo : int64 -> int

Public Function CompareTo (other As Long) As Integer

Parameters

other: Int64

The signed 64-bit integer to compare.

Returns

Int32

A signed integer value that indicates the relationship of this instance to other, as shown in the following table.

Return value	Description
Less than zero	The current instance is less than `other`.
Zero	The current instance equals `other`.
Greater than zero	The current instance is greater than `other`.

Examples

The following example illustrates the result of calling the CompareTo(Int64) method with integral values.

BigInteger bigIntValue = BigInteger.Parse("3221123045552");

byte byteValue = 16;
sbyte sbyteValue = -16;
short shortValue = 1233;
ushort ushortValue = 1233;
int intValue = -12233;
uint uintValue = 12233;
long longValue = 12382222;
ulong ulongValue = 1238222;

Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, byteValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(byteValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, sbyteValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(sbyteValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, shortValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(shortValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, ushortValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(ushortValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, intValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(intValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, uintValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(uintValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, longValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(longValue));
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}",
                  bigIntValue, ulongValue,
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(ulongValue));
// The example displays the following output:
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 16: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with -16: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with -12233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12382222: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1238222: 1

let bigIntValue = BigInteger.Parse "3221123045552"

let byteValue = 16uy
let sbyteValue = -16y
let shortValue = 1233s
let ushortValue = 1233us
let intValue = -12233
let uintValue = 12233u
let longValue = 12382222L
let ulongValue = 1238222UL

printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {byteValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo byteValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {sbyteValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo sbyteValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {shortValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo shortValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {ushortValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo ushortValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {intValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo intValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {uintValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo uintValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {longValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo longValue}"
printfn $"Comparing {bigIntValue} with {ulongValue}: {bigIntValue.CompareTo ulongValue}"
// The example displays the following output:
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 16: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with -16: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with -12233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12233: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12382222: 1
//       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1238222: 1

Dim bigIntValue As BigInteger = BigInteger.Parse("3221123045552")

Dim byteValue As Byte = 16
Dim sbyteValue As SByte = -16
Dim shortValue As Short = 1233      
Dim ushortValue As UShort = 1233
Dim intValue As Integer = -12233
Dim uintValue As UInteger = 12233
Dim longValue As Long = 12382222
Dim ulongValue As Integer = 1238222

Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, byteValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(byteValue))
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, sbyteValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(sbyteValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, shortValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(shortValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, ushortValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(ushortValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, intValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(intValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, uintValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(uintValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, longValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(longValue)) 
Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with {1}: {2}", _
                  bigIntValue, ulongValue, _
                  bigIntValue.CompareTo(ulongValue))
' The example displays the following output:
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 16: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with -16: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1233: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with -12233: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12233: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 12382222: 1
'       Comparing 3221123045552 with 1238222: 1

Remarks

If other is a Byte, Int16, Int32, SByte, UInt16, or UInt32 value, it is implicitly converted to an Int64 value when the CompareTo(Int64) method is called.

Applies to

CompareTo(BigInteger)

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Compares this instance to a second BigInteger and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the specified object.

public:
 virtual int CompareTo(System::Numerics::BigInteger other);

public int CompareTo (System.Numerics.BigInteger other);

abstract member CompareTo : System.Numerics.BigInteger -> int
override this.CompareTo : System.Numerics.BigInteger -> int

Public Function CompareTo (other As BigInteger) As Integer

Parameters

other: BigInteger

The object to compare.

Returns

Int32

A signed integer value that indicates the relationship of this instance to other, as shown in the following table.

Return value	Description
Less than zero	The current instance is less than `other`.
Zero	The current instance equals `other`.
Greater than zero	The current instance is greater than `other`.

Implements

CompareTo(T)

Examples

The following example illustrates the use of the CompareTo(BigInteger) method to order a list of StarInfo objects. Each StarInfo object provides information about a star's name and its distance from the Earth in miles. StarInfo implements the IComparable<T> interface, which enables StarInfo objects to be sorted by generic collection classes. Its IComparable<T>.CompareTo implementation just wraps a call to CompareTo(BigInteger).

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Numerics;

public struct StarInfo : IComparable<StarInfo>
{
   // Define constructors.
   public StarInfo(string name, double lightYears)
   {
      this.Name = name;

      // Calculate distance in miles from light years.
      this.Distance = (BigInteger) Math.Round(lightYears * 5.88e12);
   }

   public StarInfo(string name, BigInteger distance)
   {
      this.Name = name;
      this.Distance = distance;
   }

   // Define public fields.
   public string Name;
   public BigInteger Distance;

   // Display name of star and its distance in parentheses.
   public override string ToString()
   {
      return String.Format("{0,-10} ({1:N0})", this.Name, this.Distance);
   }

   // Compare StarInfo objects by their distance from Earth.
   public int CompareTo(StarInfo other)
   {
      return this.Distance.CompareTo(other.Distance);
   }
}

open System
open System.Numerics

[<Struct; CustomComparison; StructuralEquality>]
type StarInfo =
    // Define fields
    val Name: string
    val Distance: BigInteger

    // Define constructors.
    new(name, lightYears) =
        { Name = name
          // Calculate distance in miles from light years.
          Distance = lightYears * 5.88e12 |> bigint }

    new(name, distance) = { Name = name; Distance = distance }

    // Display name of star and its distance in parentheses.
    override this.ToString() =
        $"{this.Name, -10} ({this.Distance:N0})"

    interface IComparable<StarInfo> with
        // Compare StarInfo objects by their distance from Earth.
        member this.CompareTo(other: StarInfo) = this.Distance.CompareTo(other.Distance)

Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.Numerics

Public Structure StarInfo : Implements IComparable(Of StarInfo)
   ' Define constructors.
   Public Sub New(name As String, lightYears As Double)
      Me.Name = name
      ' Calculate distance in miles from light years.
      Me.Distance = CType(Math.Round(lightYears * 5.88e12), BigInteger)
   End Sub
   
   Public Sub New(name As String, distance As BigInteger)
      Me.Name = name
      Me.Distance = distance
   End Sub
   
   ' Define public fields.
   Public Name As String
   Public Distance As BigInteger

   ' Display name of star and its distance in parentheses.
   Public Overrides Function ToString() As String
      Return String.Format("{0,-10} ({1:N0})", Me.Name, Me.Distance)
   End Function

   ' Compare StarInfo objects by their distance from Earth.
   Public Function CompareTo(other As starInfo) As Integer _
                   Implements IComparable(Of StarInfo).CompareTo
      Return Me.Distance.CompareTo(other.Distance)
   End Function                
End Structure

The following code then instantiates four StarInfo objects and stores them in a generic List<T> object. After the List<T>.Sort method is called, StarInfo objects are displayed in order of their distance from the Earth.

public class Example
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      StarInfo star;
      List<StarInfo> stars = new List<StarInfo>();

      star = new StarInfo("Sirius", 8.6d);
      stars.Add(star);
      star = new StarInfo("Rigel", 1400d);
      stars.Add(star);
      star = new StarInfo("Castor", 49d);
      stars.Add(star);
      star = new StarInfo("Antares", 520d);
      stars.Add(star);

      stars.Sort();

      foreach (StarInfo sortedStar in stars)
         Console.WriteLine(sortedStar);
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//       Sirius     (50,568,000,000,000)
//       Castor     (288,120,000,000,000)
//       Antares    (3,057,600,000,000,000)
//       Rigel      (8,232,000,000,000,000)

let stars = ResizeArray()

let star1 = StarInfo("Sirius", 8.6)
stars.Add(star1)
let star2 = StarInfo("Rigel", 1400.)
stars.Add(star2)
let star3 = StarInfo("Castor", 49.)
stars.Add(star3)
let star4 = StarInfo("Antares", 520.)
stars.Add(star4)

stars.Sort()

for star in stars do
    printfn $"{star}"

// The example displays the following output:
//       Sirius     (50,568,000,000,000)
//       Castor     (288,120,000,000,000)
//       Antares    (3,057,600,000,000,000)
//       Rigel      (8,232,000,000,000,000)

Module Example
   Public Sub Main()
      Dim star As StarInfo
      Dim stars As New List(Of StarInfo)
      
      star = New StarInfo("Sirius", 8.6d)
      stars.Add(star)
      star = New StarInfo("Rigel", 1400d)
      stars.Add(star)
      star = New StarInfo("Castor", 49d)
      stars.Add(star)
      star = New StarInfo("Antares", 520d)
      stars.Add(star)
      
      stars.Sort()
      
      For Each star In stars
         Console.WriteLine(star)
      Next   
   End Sub
End Module
' The example displays the following output:
'       Sirius     (50,568,000,000,000)
'       Castor     (288,120,000,000,000)
'       Antares    (3,057,600,000,000,000)
'       Rigel      (8,232,000,000,000,000)

Remarks

This overload of the CompareTo method implements the IComparable<T>.CompareTo method. It is used by generic collection objects to order the items in the collection.

Applies to

CompareTo(Object)

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Compares this instance to a specified object and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the specified object.

public:
 virtual int CompareTo(System::Object ^ obj);

public int CompareTo (object? obj);

public int CompareTo (object obj);

abstract member CompareTo : obj -> int
override this.CompareTo : obj -> int

Public Function CompareTo (obj As Object) As Integer

Parameters

obj: Object

The object to compare.

Returns

Int32

A signed integer that indicates the relationship of the current instance to the obj parameter, as shown in the following table.

Return value	Description
Less than zero	The current instance is less than `obj`.
Zero	The current instance equals `obj`.
Greater than zero	The current instance is greater than `obj`, or the `obj` parameter is `null`.

Implements

CompareTo(Object)

Exceptions

ArgumentException

obj is not a BigInteger.

Examples

The following example calls the CompareTo(Object) method to compare a BigInteger value with each element in an object array:

object[] values = { BigInteger.Pow(Int64.MaxValue, 10), null,
                    12.534, Int64.MaxValue, BigInteger.One };
BigInteger number = UInt64.MaxValue;

foreach (object value in values)
{
   try {
      Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with '{1}': {2}", number, value,
                        number.CompareTo(value));
   }
   catch (ArgumentException) {
      Console.WriteLine("Unable to compare the {0} value {1} with a BigInteger.",
                        value.GetType().Name, value);
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '4.4555084156466750133735972424E+189': -1
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '': 1
//    Unable to compare the Double value 12.534 with a BigInteger.
//    Unable to compare the Int64 value 9223372036854775807 with a BigInteger.
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '1': 1

let values =
    [| BigInteger.Pow(Int64.MaxValue, 10)
       Unchecked.defaultof<bigint>
       bigint 12.534
       Int64.MaxValue
       BigInteger.One |]

let number = bigint UInt64.MaxValue

for value in values do
    try
        printfn $"Comparing {number} with '{value}': {number.CompareTo value}"
    with :? ArgumentException as e ->
        printfn $"Unable to compare the {value.GetType().Name} value {value} with a BigInteger."
// The example displays the following output:
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '4.4555084156466750133735972424E+189': -1
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '': 1
//    Unable to compare the Double value 12.534 with a BigInteger.
//    Unable to compare the Int64 value 9223372036854775807 with a BigInteger.
//    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '1': 1

Dim values() As Object = { BigInteger.Pow(Int64.MaxValue, 10), Nothing, 
                           12.534, Int64.MaxValue, BigInteger.One }
Dim number As BigInteger = UInt64.MaxValue

For Each value As Object In values
   Try
      Console.WriteLine("Comparing {0} with '{1}': {2}", number, value, 
                        number.CompareTo(value))
   Catch e As ArgumentException
      Console.WriteLine("Unable to compare the {0} value {1} with a BigInteger.",
                        value.GetType().Name, value)
   End Try                     
Next                                 
' The example displays the following output:
'    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '4.4555084156466750133735972424E+189': -1
'    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '': 1
'    Unable to compare the Double value 12.534 with a BigInteger.
'    Unable to compare the Int64 value 9223372036854775807 with a BigInteger.
'    Comparing 18446744073709551615 with '1': 1

Remarks

This overload of the CompareTo method implements the IComparable.CompareTo method. It is used by non-generic collection objects to order the items in the collection.

The obj parameter must be one of the following:

An object whose run-time type is BigInteger.
An Object variable whose value is null. If the value of the obj parameter is null, the method returns 1, which indicates that the current instance is greater than obj.

Applies to

CompareTo(UInt64)

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Source:: BigInteger.cs

Important

This API is not CLS-compliant.

Compares this instance to an unsigned 64-bit integer and returns an integer that indicates whether the value of this instance is less than, equal to, or greater than the value of the unsigned 64-bit integer.

public:
 int CompareTo(System::UInt64 other);

[System.CLSCompliant(false)]
public int CompareTo (ulong other);

[<System.CLSCompliant(false)>]
member this.CompareTo : uint64 -> int

Public Function CompareTo (other As ULong) As Integer

Parameters

other: UInt64

The unsigned 64-bit integer to compare.

Returns

Int32

A signed integer that indicates the relative value of this instance and other, as shown in the following table.

Return value	Description
Less than zero	The current instance is less than `other`.
Zero	The current instance equals `other`.
Greater than zero	The current instance is greater than `other`.

Attributes: CLSCompliantAttribute

Applies to

Share via

BigInteger.CompareTo Method

Definition

Overloads

CompareTo(Int64)

Parameters

Returns

Examples

Remarks

Applies to

CompareTo(BigInteger)

Parameters

Returns

Implements

Examples

Remarks

See also

Applies to

CompareTo(Object)

Parameters

Returns

Implements

Exceptions

Examples

Remarks

See also

Applies to

CompareTo(UInt64)

Parameters

Returns

Applies to

Additional resources