lesson1Title

lesson2Title

lesson3Title

lesson4Title

lesson5Title

lesson6Title

lesson7Title

lesson8Title

lesson9Title

lesson10Title

lesson11Title

lesson12Title

lesson13Title

lesson14Title

lesson15Title

lesson16Title

lesson17Title

lesson18Title

lesson19Title

lesson20Title

lesson21Title

pythonIntroStep2Chapter3Title

pythonIntroStep2Chapter1Title

pythonIntroStep2Chapter2Title

pythonIntroStep2Chapter4Title

fruits = ['banana', 'apple', 'cherry']
print("fruits:", fruits)
print()

# Sort the list alphabetically
fruits.sort()
# Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
print("sorted:", fruits)
print()

# Sort the list in reverse alphabetical order
fruits.sort(reverse=True)
print("reverse=True:", fruits)
print()

# Sort the list by length
fruits.sort(key=len)
print("key=len:", fruits)

# Sorting List Elements with the sort() Function

In Python, the `sort()` function sorts the elements of a list according to a specified criterion.

The `sort()` function sorts the list elements in place and does not create a new list.

<br />

## How to Use the sort() Function

By default, the `sort()` function sorts the elements of a list in **ascending order**.

To sort in descending order, use `sort(reverse=True)`.

```python title="Example of sort() Function"
numbers = [3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2]
# Ascending order
numbers.sort()
# [1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9]
print("sorted:", numbers)

# Descending order
numbers.sort(reverse=True)
# [9, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1]
print("reverse=True:", numbers)
```

<br />

## Specifying a Sorting Criterion with the key Parameter

You can specify a sorting criterion using the `key` parameter.

For example, if you want to sort elements by the length of the strings, pass `key=len` to the `sort()` function as shown below.

```python title="Custom Sorting: Sort by String Length"
words = ['banana', 'pie', 'Washington', 'apple']

# Sort by string length
words.sort(key=len)

# Output: ['pie', 'apple', 'banana', 'Washington']
print(words)
```

The parameter to specify a sorting criterion in the sort() function is key.

### What is the most appropriate code to fill in the blank?