Ordering<T> class abstract

An ordering implements a Comparator function that can be modified using a fluent interface.

The Ordering defines a total order on objects of type T. For example, the natural order of two String instances can be determined using:

final natural = Ordering.natural<String>();
natural.compare('a', 'b');  // -1

However, the low-level compare function rarely needs to be used directly. Ordering implements various fluent helpers that create new orderings

natural.reverse();  // a reverse ordering
natural.nullsFirst();  // orders null values before other values
natural.compound(other);  // breaks ties of natural with other order

and that allow the user to perform common tasks on an ordering:

natural.min('a', 'b');  // 'a'
natural.maxOf(['a', 'b', 'c']);  // 'c'
natural.sorted(['dog', 'cat', 'ape']);  // ['ape', 'cat', 'dog']
natural.isOrdered(['ape', 'cat', 'dog']);  // true