If someone eg. codes in server-side language and uses many included files, with names being just numbers (like I do), will no longer have to bother about leading zeroes... No more 001.php etc., just plain 1.php will do!If you have a group of numbered files on your disk and you select "View By Name" in the Finder, you might expect the files to be displayed in sensible numerical order, like this:
Picture1.jpg
Picture2.jpg
Picture3.jpg
Picture4.jpg
Picture5.jpg
Picture6.jpg
Picture7.jpg
Picture8.jpg
Picture9.jpg
Picture10.jpg
Picture11.jpg
Picture12.jpg
If you've ever had a group of numbered files on your disk, you'll know that the Finder doesn't do this. When you select "View By Name" what you get looks like this:
Picture1.jpg
Picture10.jpg
Picture11.jpg
Picture12.jpg
Picture2.jpg
Picture3.jpg
Picture4.jpg
Picture5.jpg
Picture6.jpg
Picture7.jpg
Picture8.jpg
Picture9.jpg
This looks stupid, and it's because the System is just sorting the names lexicographically. By the same logic that dictates that "ab" comes alphabetically before "c" (which is correct) the System decides that "12" comes before "3" (which is stupid). D'oh! Natural Order works by overriding the System's comparison of the numerical portions of strings, and sorts them by numerical value instead of "alphabetical" value.
It seems that the needed algorithm is already done and can be obtained for free:
I hope you'll consider my suggestion. Kudos for the great file manager!If for some reason this solution is not suitable for you, you may include the Natural Order sorting algorithm directly in your software at no charge, providing that you credit my contribution in a piece of text such as a copyright or acknowledgements section that is visible to end users of the product.
