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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 based on a specified criterion.

It modifies the original list in place, meaning it does not return a new list but instead changes the order of the existing one.

<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**, pass `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 provide a custom sorting rule using the `key` parameter. This allows you to define how elements are compared.

For example, to sort a list of strings by their length, you can pass `key=len` to the `sort()` function

```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.

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