Char.CompareTo Method
Definition
Important
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Compares this instance to a specified object or value type, and indicates whether this instance precedes, follows, or appears in the same position in the sort order as the specified object or value type.
Overloads
CompareTo(Char) |
Compares this instance to a specified Char object and indicates whether this instance precedes, follows, or appears in the same position in the sort order as the specified Char object. |
CompareTo(Object) |
Compares this instance to a specified object and indicates whether this instance precedes, follows, or appears in the same position in the sort order as the specified Object. |
CompareTo(Char)
- Source:
- Char.cs
- Source:
- Char.cs
- Source:
- Char.cs
public:
virtual int CompareTo(char value);
public int CompareTo (char value);
abstract member CompareTo : char -> int
override this.CompareTo : char -> int
Public Function CompareTo (value As Char) As Integer
Parameters
Returns
A signed number indicating the position of this instance in the sort order in relation to the value
parameter.
Return Value | Description |
---|---|
Less than zero | This instance precedes value .
|
Zero | This instance has the same position in the sort order as value .
|
Greater than zero | This instance follows value .
|
Implements
Examples
The following code example demonstrates generic and non-generic versions of the CompareTo
method for several value and reference types.
// This example demonstrates the two versions of the
// CompareTo method for several base types.
// The general version takes a parameter of type Object, while the specific
// version takes a type-specific parameter, such as Boolean, Int32, or Double.
using namespace System;
void Show( String^ caption, Object^ var1, Object^ var2, int resultGeneric, int resultNonGeneric )
{
String^ relation;
Console::Write( caption );
if ( resultGeneric == resultNonGeneric )
{
if ( resultGeneric < 0 )
relation = "less than";
else
if ( resultGeneric > 0 )
relation = "greater than";
else
relation = "equal to";
Console::WriteLine( "{0} is {1} {2}", var1, relation, var2 );
}
// The following condition will never occur because the generic and non-generic
// CompareTo methods are equivalent.
else
{
Console::WriteLine( "Generic CompareTo = {0}; non-generic CompareTo = {1}", resultGeneric, resultNonGeneric );
}
}
int main()
{
String^ nl = Environment::NewLine;
String^ msg = "{0}The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic{0}"
"versions of the CompareTo method for several base types:{0}";
Object^ obj; // An Object used to insure CompareTo(Object) is called.
DateTime now = DateTime::Now;
// Time span = 11 days, 22 hours, 33 minutes, 44 seconds
TimeSpan tsX = TimeSpan(11,22,33,44);
// Version = 1.2.333.4
Version^ versX = gcnew Version( "1.2.333.4" );
// Guid = CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223
Guid guidX = Guid( "{CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223}");
Boolean a1 = true,a2 = true;
Byte b1 = 1,b2 = 1;
Int16 c1 = -2,c2 = 2;
Int32 d1 = 3,d2 = 3;
Int64 e1 = 4,e2 = -4;
Decimal f1 = Decimal(-5.5), f2 = Decimal(5.5);
Single g1 = 6.6f,g2 = 6.6f;
Double h1 = 7.7,h2 = -7.7;
Char i1 = 'A',i2 = 'A';
String^ j1 = "abc", ^j2 = "abc";
DateTime k1 = now,k2 = now;
TimeSpan l1 = tsX,l2 = tsX;
Version^ m1 = versX, ^m2 = gcnew Version( "2.0" );
Guid n1 = guidX,n2 = guidX;
// The following types are not CLS-compliant.
SByte w1 = 8,w2 = 8;
UInt16 x1 = 9,x2 = 9;
UInt32 y1 = 10,y2 = 10;
UInt64 z1 = 11,z2 = 11;
//
Console::WriteLine( msg, nl );
try
{
Show( "Boolean: ", a1, a2, a1.CompareTo( a2 ), a1.CompareTo( a2 ) );
Show( "Byte: ", b1, b2, b1.CompareTo( b2 ), b1.CompareTo( b2 ) );
Show( "Int16: ", c1, c2, c1.CompareTo( c2 ), c1.CompareTo( c2 ) );
Show( "Int32: ", d1, d2, d1.CompareTo( d2 ), d1.CompareTo( d2 ) );
Show( "Int64: ", e1, e2, e1.CompareTo( e2 ), e1.CompareTo( e2 ) );
Show( "Decimal: ", f1, f2, f1.CompareTo( f2 ), f1.CompareTo( f2 ) );
Show( "Single: ", g1, g2, g1.CompareTo( g2 ), g1.CompareTo( g2 ) );
Show( "Double: ", h1, h2, h1.CompareTo( h2 ), h1.CompareTo( h2 ) );
Show( "Char: ", i1, i2, i1.CompareTo( i2 ), i1.CompareTo( i2 ) );
// Use an anonymous object to hide the String object.
obj = j2;
Show( "String: ", j1, j2, j1->CompareTo( j2 ), j1->CompareTo( obj ) );
Show( "DateTime:", k1, k2, k1.CompareTo( k2 ), k1.CompareTo( k2 ) );
Show( "TimeSpan: ", l1, l2, l1.CompareTo( l2 ), l1.CompareTo( l2 ) );
// Use an anonymous object to hide the Version object.
obj = m2;
Show( "Version: ", m1, m2, m1->CompareTo( m2 ), m1->CompareTo( obj ) );
Show( "Guid: ", n1, n2, n1.CompareTo( n2 ), n1.CompareTo( n2 ) );
//
Console::WriteLine( "{0}The following types are not CLS-compliant:", nl );
Show( "SByte: ", w1, w2, w1.CompareTo( w2 ), w1.CompareTo( w2 ) );
Show( "UInt16: ", x1, x2, x1.CompareTo( x2 ), x1.CompareTo( x2 ) );
Show( "UInt32: ", y1, y2, y1.CompareTo( y2 ), y1.CompareTo( y2 ) );
Show( "UInt64: ", z1, z2, z1.CompareTo( z2 ), z1.CompareTo( z2 ) );
}
catch ( Exception^ e )
{
Console::WriteLine( e );
}
}
// This example displays the following output:
//
// The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic versions of the
// CompareTo method for several base types:
//
// Boolean: True is equal to True
// Byte: 1 is equal to 1
// Int16: -2 is less than 2
// Int32: 3 is equal to 3
// Int64: 4 is greater than -4
// Decimal: -5.5 is less than 5.5
// Single: 6.6 is equal to 6.6
// Double: 7.7 is greater than -7.7
// Char: A is equal to A
// String: abc is equal to abc
// DateTime: 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM is equal to 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM
// TimeSpan: 11.22:33:44 is equal to 11.22:33:44
// Version: 1.2.333.4 is less than 2.0
// Guid: ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00aa0057b223 is equal to ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00
// aa0057b223
//
// The following types are not CLS-compliant:
// SByte: 8 is equal to 8
// UInt16: 9 is equal to 9
// UInt32: 10 is equal to 10
// UInt64: 11 is equal to 11
// This example demonstrates the generic and non-generic versions of the
// CompareTo method for several base types.
// The non-generic version takes a parameter of type Object, while the generic
// version takes a type-specific parameter, such as Boolean, Int32, or Double.
using System;
class Sample
{
public static void Main()
{
string nl = Environment.NewLine;
string msg = "{0}The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic{0}" +
"versions of the CompareTo method for several base types:{0}";
DateTime now = DateTime.Now;
// Time span = 11 days, 22 hours, 33 minutes, 44 seconds
TimeSpan tsX = new TimeSpan(11, 22, 33, 44);
// Version = 1.2.333.4
Version versX = new Version("1.2.333.4");
// Guid = CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223
Guid guidX = new Guid("{CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223}");
Boolean a1 = true, a2 = true;
Byte b1 = 1, b2 = 1;
Int16 c1 = -2, c2 = 2;
Int32 d1 = 3, d2 = 3;
Int64 e1 = 4, e2 = -4;
Decimal f1 = -5.5m, f2 = 5.5m;
Single g1 = 6.6f, g2 = 6.6f;
Double h1 = 7.7d, h2 = -7.7d;
Char i1 = 'A', i2 = 'A';
String j1 = "abc", j2 = "abc";
DateTime k1 = now, k2 = now;
TimeSpan l1 = tsX, l2 = tsX;
Version m1 = versX, m2 = new Version("2.0");
Guid n1 = guidX, n2 = guidX;
// The following types are not CLS-compliant.
SByte w1 = 8, w2 = 8;
UInt16 x1 = 9, x2 = 9;
UInt32 y1 = 10, y2 = 10;
UInt64 z1 = 11, z2 = 11;
//
Console.WriteLine(msg, nl);
try
{
// The second and third Show method call parameters are automatically boxed because
// the second and third Show method declaration arguments expect type Object.
Show("Boolean: ", a1, a2, a1.CompareTo(a2), a1.CompareTo((Object)a2));
Show("Byte: ", b1, b2, b1.CompareTo(b2), b1.CompareTo((Object)b2));
Show("Int16: ", c1, c2, c1.CompareTo(c2), c1.CompareTo((Object)c2));
Show("Int32: ", d1, d2, d1.CompareTo(d2), d1.CompareTo((Object)d2));
Show("Int64: ", e1, e2, e1.CompareTo(e2), e1.CompareTo((Object)e2));
Show("Decimal: ", f1, f2, f1.CompareTo(f2), f1.CompareTo((Object)f2));
Show("Single: ", g1, g2, g1.CompareTo(g2), g1.CompareTo((Object)g2));
Show("Double: ", h1, h2, h1.CompareTo(h2), h1.CompareTo((Object)h2));
Show("Char: ", i1, i2, i1.CompareTo(i2), i1.CompareTo((Object)i2));
Show("String: ", j1, j2, j1.CompareTo(j2), j1.CompareTo((Object)j2));
Show("DateTime: ", k1, k2, k1.CompareTo(k2), k1.CompareTo((Object)k2));
Show("TimeSpan: ", l1, l2, l1.CompareTo(l2), l1.CompareTo((Object)l2));
Show("Version: ", m1, m2, m1.CompareTo(m2), m1.CompareTo((Object)m2));
Show("Guid: ", n1, n2, n1.CompareTo(n2), n1.CompareTo((Object)n2));
//
Console.WriteLine("{0}The following types are not CLS-compliant:", nl);
Show("SByte: ", w1, w2, w1.CompareTo(w2), w1.CompareTo((Object)w2));
Show("UInt16: ", x1, x2, x1.CompareTo(x2), x1.CompareTo((Object)x2));
Show("UInt32: ", y1, y2, y1.CompareTo(y2), y1.CompareTo((Object)y2));
Show("UInt64: ", z1, z2, z1.CompareTo(z2), z1.CompareTo((Object)z2));
}
catch (Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine(e);
}
}
public static void Show(string caption, Object var1, Object var2,
int resultGeneric, int resultNonGeneric)
{
string relation;
Console.Write(caption);
if (resultGeneric == resultNonGeneric)
{
if (resultGeneric < 0) relation = "less than";
else if (resultGeneric > 0) relation = "greater than";
else relation = "equal to";
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} {2}", var1, relation, var2);
}
// The following condition will never occur because the generic and non-generic
// CompareTo methods are equivalent.
else
{
Console.WriteLine("Generic CompareTo = {0}; non-generic CompareTo = {1}",
resultGeneric, resultNonGeneric);
}
}
}
/*
This example produces the following results:
The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic versions of the
CompareTo method for several base types:
Boolean: True is equal to True
Byte: 1 is equal to 1
Int16: -2 is less than 2
Int32: 3 is equal to 3
Int64: 4 is greater than -4
Decimal: -5.5 is less than 5.5
Single: 6.6 is equal to 6.6
Double: 7.7 is greater than -7.7
Char: A is equal to A
String: abc is equal to abc
DateTime: 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM is equal to 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM
TimeSpan: 11.22:33:44 is equal to 11.22:33:44
Version: 1.2.333.4 is less than 2.0
Guid: ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00aa0057b223 is equal to ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00
aa0057b223
The following types are not CLS-compliant:
SByte: 8 is equal to 8
UInt16: 9 is equal to 9
UInt32: 10 is equal to 10
UInt64: 11 is equal to 11
*/
' This example demonstrates the generic and non-generic versions of the
' CompareTo method for several base types.
' The non-generic version takes a parameter of type Object, while the generic
' version takes a type-specific parameter, such as Boolean, Int32, or Double.
Class Sample
Public Shared Sub Main()
Dim nl As String = Environment.NewLine
Dim msg As String = _
"{0}The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic{0}" & _
"versions of the CompareTo method for several base types:{0}"
Dim now As DateTime = DateTime.Now
' Time span = 11 days, 22 hours, 33 minutes, 44 seconds
Dim tsX As New TimeSpan(11, 22, 33, 44)
' Version = 1.2.333.4
Dim versX As New Version("1.2.333.4")
' Guid = CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223
Dim guidX As New Guid("{CA761232-ED42-11CE-BACD-00AA0057B223}")
Dim a1 As [Boolean] = True, a2 As [Boolean] = True
Dim b1 As [Byte] = 1, b2 As [Byte] = 1
Dim c1 As Int16 = -2, c2 As Int16 = 2
Dim d1 As Int32 = 3, d2 As Int32 = 3
Dim e1 As Int64 = 4, e2 As Int64 = -4
Dim f1 As [Decimal] = -5.5D, f2 As [Decimal] = 5.5D
Dim g1 As [Single] = 6.6F, g2 As [Single] = 6.6F
Dim h1 As [Double] = 7.7, h2 As [Double] = -7.7
Dim i1 As [Char] = "A"c, i2 As [Char] = "A"c
Dim j1 As String = "abc", j2 As String = "abc"
Dim k1 As DateTime = now, k2 As DateTime = now
Dim l1 As TimeSpan = tsX, l2 As TimeSpan = tsX
Dim m1 As Version = versX, m2 As New Version("2.0")
Dim n1 As Guid = guidX, n2 As Guid = guidX
' The following types are not CLS-compliant.
' SByte, UInt16, UInt32, UInt64
Console.WriteLine(msg, nl)
Try
' The second and third Show method call parameters are automatically boxed because
' the second and third Show method declaration arguments expect type Object.
Show("Boolean: ", a1, a2, a1.CompareTo(a2), a1.CompareTo(CObj(a2)))
Show("Byte: ", b1, b2, b1.CompareTo(b2), b1.CompareTo(CObj(b2)))
Show("Int16: ", c1, c2, c1.CompareTo(c2), c1.CompareTo(CObj(c2)))
Show("Int32: ", d1, d2, d1.CompareTo(d2), d1.CompareTo(CObj(d2)))
Show("Int64: ", e1, e2, e1.CompareTo(e2), e1.CompareTo(CObj(e2)))
Show("Decimal: ", f1, f2, f1.CompareTo(f2), f1.CompareTo(CObj(f2)))
Show("Single: ", g1, g2, g1.CompareTo(g2), g1.CompareTo(CObj(g2)))
Show("Double: ", h1, h2, h1.CompareTo(h2), h1.CompareTo(CObj(h2)))
Show("Char: ", i1, i2, i1.CompareTo(i2), i1.CompareTo(CObj(i2)))
Show("String: ", j1, j2, j1.CompareTo(j2), j1.CompareTo(CObj(j2)))
Show("DateTime: ", k1, k2, k1.CompareTo(k2), k1.CompareTo(CObj(k2)))
Show("TimeSpan: ", l1, l2, l1.CompareTo(l2), l1.CompareTo(CObj(l2)))
Show("Version: ", m1, m2, m1.CompareTo(m2), m1.CompareTo(CObj(m2)))
Show("Guid: ", n1, n2, n1.CompareTo(n2), n1.CompareTo(CObj(n2)))
'
Console.WriteLine("{0}The following types are not CLS-compliant:", nl)
Console.WriteLine("SByte, UInt16, UInt32, UInt64")
Catch e As Exception
Console.WriteLine(e)
End Try
End Sub
Public Shared Sub Show(caption As String, var1 As [Object], var2 As [Object], _
resultGeneric As Integer, resultNonGeneric As Integer)
Dim relation As String
Console.Write(caption)
If resultGeneric = resultNonGeneric Then
If resultGeneric < 0 Then
relation = "less than"
ElseIf resultGeneric > 0 Then
relation = "greater than"
Else
relation = "equal to"
End If
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} {2}", var1, relation, var2)
' The following condition will never occur because the generic and non-generic
' CompareTo methods are equivalent.
Else
Console.WriteLine("Generic CompareTo = {0}; non-generic CompareTo = {1}", _
resultGeneric, resultNonGeneric)
End If
End Sub
End Class
'
'This example produces the following results:
'
'The following is the result of using the generic and non-generic versions of the
'CompareTo method for several base types:
'
'Boolean: True is equal to True
'Byte: 1 is equal to 1
'Int16: -2 is less than 2
'Int32: 3 is equal to 3
'Int64: 4 is greater than -4
'Decimal: -5.5 is less than 5.5
'Single: 6.6 is equal to 6.6
'Double: 7.7 is greater than -7.7
'Char: A is equal to A
'String: abc is equal to abc
'DateTime: 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM is equal to 12/1/2003 5:37:46 PM
'TimeSpan: 11.22:33:44 is equal to 11.22:33:44
'Version: 1.2.333.4 is less than 2.0
'Guid: ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00aa0057b223 is equal to ca761232-ed42-11ce-bacd-00
'aa0057b223
'
'The following types are not CLS-compliant:
'SByte, UInt16, UInt32, UInt64
'
Remarks
This method implements the System.IComparable<T> interface and performs slightly better than the Char.CompareTo method because it does not have to convert the value
parameter to an object.
The comparison performed by this method is based on the encoded values of this instance and value
, not their lexicographical characteristics.
If the CompareTo method parameter type has fewer bits (is narrower) than the instance type, some programming languages perform an implicit widening conversion that transforms the value of the parameter into a value with more bits.
For example, suppose the instance type is Int32 and the parameter type is Byte. The Microsoft C# compiler generates instructions to represent the value of the parameter as an Int32 object, then generates a Int32.CompareTo method that compares the values of the Int32 instance and the Int32 parameter representation.
Typically, implicit widening conversions are performed on numeric types. Consult your programming language's documentation to determine if its compiler performs widening conversions. If the instance and parameter types mismatch and a suitable conversion is not available, the compiler generates instructions to box the parameter and invoke the CompareTo overload that takes an Object parameter.
See also
Applies to
CompareTo(Object)
- Source:
- Char.cs
- Source:
- Char.cs
- Source:
- Char.cs
Compares this instance to a specified object and indicates whether this instance precedes, follows, or appears in the same position in the sort order as the specified Object.
public:
virtual int CompareTo(System::Object ^ value);
public int CompareTo (object? value);
public int CompareTo (object value);
abstract member CompareTo : obj -> int
override this.CompareTo : obj -> int
Public Function CompareTo (value As Object) As Integer
Parameters
- value
- Object
An object to compare this instance to, or null
.
Returns
A signed number indicating the position of this instance in the sort order in relation to the value
parameter.
Return Value | Description |
---|---|
Less than zero | This instance precedes value .
|
Zero | This instance has the same position in the sort order as value .
|
Greater than zero | This instance follows value .
-or-
|
Implements
Exceptions
value
is not a Char object.
Examples
The following code example demonstrates CompareTo.
using namespace System;
int main()
{
char chA = 'A';
char chB = 'B';
Console::WriteLine( chA.CompareTo( 'A' ) ); // Output: "0" (meaning they're equal)
Console::WriteLine( 'b'.CompareTo( chB ) ); // Output: "32" (meaning 'b' is greater than 'B' by 32)
Console::WriteLine( chA.CompareTo( chB ) ); // Output: "-1" (meaning 'A' is less than 'B' by 1)
}
using System;
public class CompareToSample {
public static void Main() {
char chA = 'A';
char chB = 'B';
Console.WriteLine(chA.CompareTo('A')); // Output: "0" (meaning they're equal)
Console.WriteLine('b'.CompareTo(chB)); // Output: "32" (meaning 'b' is greater than 'B' by 32)
Console.WriteLine(chA.CompareTo(chB)); // Output: "-1" (meaning 'A' is less than 'B' by 1)
}
}
let chA = 'A'
let chB = 'B'
printfn $"{chA.CompareTo 'A'}" // Output: "0" (meaning they're equal)
printfn $"{'b'.CompareTo chB}" // Output: "32" (meaning 'b' is greater than 'B' by 32)
printfn $"{chA.CompareTo chB}" // Output: "-1" (meaning 'A' is less than 'B' by 1)
Module CompareToSample
Sub Main()
Dim chA As Char
chA = "A"c
Dim chB As Char
chB = "B"c
Console.WriteLine(chA.CompareTo("A"c)) ' Output: "0" (meaning they're equal)
Console.WriteLine("b"c.CompareTo(chB)) ' Output: "32" (meaning 'b' is 32 greater than 'B')
Console.WriteLine(chA.CompareTo(chB)) ' Output: "-1" (meaning 'A' is less than 'B' by 1)
End Sub
End Module
Remarks
The CompareTo method implements the IComparable interface.
The value
parameter must be null
or an instance of Char; otherwise, an exception is thrown.
The comparison performed by this method is based on the encoded values of this instance and value
, not necessarily their lexicographical characteristics. Any instance of Char, regardless of its value, is considered greater than null
.