sort some_file

1. can be sorted numerically or alphanumerically (default)

sort INTRON_SIZE

sort -n

1. numerical sort, lowest to highest

sort -nr

1. numerical sort, highest to lowest

what is the smallest size?
sort INTRON_SIZE -n |head -1

what is the largest size?
sort INTRON_SIZE -n |tail -1
sort INTRON_SIZE -nr |head -1

sort -n INTRON_SIZE > file_of_sorted_intron_sizes

sort -k

1. sorts on fields
2. by default spaces/tables separate fields

apple 15 rotten has 3 fields

			field 1 is apple
			field 2 is 15
			field 3 is rotten

more fruit
apple 10 quality:fresh
cherry 15 quality:rotten
peach 89 quality:fresh
blueberry 15 quality:rotten
peach 32 quality:unknown
peach 5 quality:rotten
grape 23 quality:fresh
grapfruit 100 quality:unknown
melon 15 quality:fresh

to sort by fruit name alphabetically

sort -k1,1 fruit

to sort by price
sort -k2n,2n fruit

1. sort by second field (k2) and just second field(,2) and numerically (n)

peach 5 quality:rotten
apple 10 quality:fresh
blueberry 15 quality:rotten
cherry 15 quality:rotten
melon 15 quality:fresh
grape 23 quality:fresh
peach 32 quality:unknown
peach 89 quality:fresh
grapfruit 100 quality:unknown

to sort by quality
sort -k3,3 fruit

apple 10 quality:fresh
grape 23 quality:fresh
melon 15 quality:fresh
peach 89 quality:fresh
blueberry 15 quality:rotten
cherry 15 quality:rotten
peach 5 quality:rotten
grapfruit 100 quality:unknown
peach 32 quality:unknown

to sort by quality and then price
sort -k3,3 -k2n,2n fruit

apple 10 quality:fresh
melon 15 quality:fresh
grape 23 quality:fresh
peach 89 quality:fresh
peach 5 quality:rotten
blueberry 15 quality:rotten
cherry 15 quality:rotten
peach 32 quality:unknown
grapfruit 100 quality:unknown