I am trying to print out the records in a flatfile database, with the results in alphabetical order, based on the first 8 characters in the first field, which is lname (last name). This is what I have so far (doesnt work). 
sub view_it {
open (DATABASE, "$mydata") || &CgiDie ("I am sorry, but I was not able
+ to open the 
data file.");
flock (DATABASE, 2);
@list = <DATABASE>;
flock (DATABASE, 8);
close (DATABASE);
foreach $list (@list) {                               
($lname, $fname, $email, $phone, $message, $ip, $date) = split(/\|\|/,
+ $list);
&byName;
$test = 1;
&print_it;
}
}

sub byName {  # sort database by first 8 of last name 
((substr $a, 0, 8) cmp (substr $b, 0, 8)); }
    $i = 0;  # loop counter
    
   while (<>) { $filerecs[$i++] = $_; }
    
   @sorted_recs = sort byName @filerecs

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then it goes on to substitute the $lname for %%name%% etc, and print it to a html template (which works fine). Problem is, the script prints in reverse entry order instead of alphabetical. Any suggestions for a new kid that is really lost. ? Shay

Edit kudra, 2001-10-30 Changed title

In reply to Where am I going wrong with printing flatfile db records in alphabetical order? by caciqueman

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