From: Robert Klemme <shortcutter@...>
Date: 2006-10-29T20:35:20+09:00
Subject: Re: keeping a hash' sort order?

dc wrote:
> hi -
> 
> sure this is a common question...

Yes, and that is the exact reason why I suggest you search through the 
archives before posting.

> i have a hash of stuff that i want to load/keep in a particular order.
> 
> irb(main):005:0> hsh =  { "one" => 1, "two" => 2, "three" => 3,
> "four"=>4, "twentythree"=>23 }
> 
> gives back:
> => {"three"=>3, "two"=>2, "twentythree"=>23, "one"=>1, "four"=>4}
> 
> ruby sorts the hash in apparent random order (by object id?)
> 
> how can i keep the items in the order i want?
> 
> someone said i should probly not use a hash at all? however, i do want
> to keep the items organized in the order like above, but access thru
> hashkeys.
> 
> hsh.each_pair{ |tag, val| ...

That's not an access by hash key but an iteration.  For that nested 
arrays are sufficient.

> can i use a more complex structure and sort by some internal key?

As said, please go to the archives.  There are numerous postings and 
implementations available.

Regards

	robert