Altap Salamander Support Forums

I use default sorting by filename most of time (eventually switch to sort by file extension). In this case default ascending sort is appropriate.

But when I sort datetime or size columns I need descending sort in 99 % cases (want to see the biggest file or the last changed). Now I have to click on column header two times which is pretty annoying.

In our own IS we have descending sort for all columns by default (users want to see last modified records, biggest invoices etc.).

What you others think about ascending/descending sort? I would personally highly appreciate new option in configuration where can one set default sorting direction (asc/desc) or eventually set all columns and their default direction.

Hi,
for datetime column there is already such feature

in Configuration / Panels part Sorting contains:
- Sort strings with respect to Regional Settings [IMHO in Czech sorts items "a, á, b, c, č" instead "a, b, c, á, č" ]
- Use numerical sort for numbers contained in string [sorts items "1, 2, 10" instead of "1, 10, 2"]
- Sort By Time order: newer items on top [reverses default sort order for datetime column]
- Sort By Time: sort directories by name [sorts files by date and directories by name]
- Sort By Extension: consider extension in directory names [otherwise no directory (even with dot in the name) have "no extension" to sort by]

I did not notice this option for datetime, thanks
So now I only ask for adding the same option for file size

zarevak wrote:- Sort By Time order: newer items on top [reverses default sort order for datetime column]

I've only found one little drawback - the sort icon (asc/desc) does not change if I reverse the order, i.e. descending datetime sort shows ascending icon

Mem wrote:...
But when I sort datetime or size columns I need descending sort in 99 % cases (want to see the biggest file or the last changed)...

The same here (maybe 1% less then you )

...What you others think about ascending/descending sort? I would personally
highly appreciate new option in configuration where can one set default
sorting direction (asc/desc) or eventually set all columns and their default
direction.

Maybe smtg like:
[x] Sort descending on first click on header (instead of ascending)

Something like:
Primary Sort order for
Name [x] Asc [ ] Desc [ ] Auto
File extension [x] Asc [ ] Desc [ ] Auto
Size [ ] Asc [x] Desc [ ] Auto
Date and time [x] Asc [ ] Desc [ ] Auto

Would be very nice, indeed.

Just a question: What's the Auto setting?

BTW: From ALTAP Roadmap:
- Custom panel columns (parsers for EXIF, MP3 bitrate, Access Time, etc.)
There will be more and more columns and people may like to set default sort order for everything Making static list of choices is not very good.

Maybe some sort of listbox with comboboxes to set the default sort order would do the trick?
<Column>........<Default Sort Order>
Name...............Ascending [v]
Size.................Descending [v]
Bitrate..............Descending [v]

I should rather write "Default"

SelfMan wrote:I should rather write "Default"

ok, "Default" - but what does it mean?? IMHO default is just Ascending.

Only other option I can think of from Asc/Desc is to remember last sort order setting. But this is rather complicated (what is "last sort order", when same column is sorted differently in the same time in both panels?) and users could be confused: "last time I clicked on Size column, it sorted files from smallest to largest; now it sorts them the other way "

I understand "auto" as asc for alphanumerical columns, desc for datetime, size etc. but it may be a little confusing for other users so simple asc/desc choice is imho optimal