Wow J. Clifford Dyer wrote: > On Fri, Nov 16, 2007 at 12:31:19PM +0000, Marie Hughes wrote regarding > sorting contacts alphabetically, sorted by surname: >> HI >> >> I have to write a program that contains a text file in the following >> format: >> >> Academic Position Room Ext. Email >> Prof Marie Maguire Head of >> School M9002 0000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> And produce a output file where conatcts are sorted alphabetically- >> sorted by surname. >> >> Has anyone any ideas. > > Well, the first thing you need to do is develop a workable understanding of > how your data file is formatted. What separates one field from another? Is > it tab-delimited? Does the field always start at a given column number? > Then you need to read each line of the file, and split the lines up according > to the format. Save to a data structure, sort by last name (you'll have to > further parse the name to isolate this information), and reprint the results. > > Depending on the details you uncover about the precise format of your data > file, you will find it helpful to read the documentation on string methods, > particularly s.split(), and sequence slicing: s[4:14]. > > Best of luck with it. > > Cheers, > Cliff
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