sorting a list with respect to the closest number in the list python

Question

I want to sort a list based on how close a number in the list is to a given number. so for example:

 target_list = [1,2,8,20]
 number = 4

then probably sorted l         


        

Answer 1

You can use the key parameter of the sorted function

>>> target_list = [1,2,8,20]
>>> sorted(target_list, key=lambda x: abs(4-x))
[2, 1, 8, 20]

Or if you want to sort it in place, even the list sort method accepts a key.

>>> target_list.sort(key=lambda x: abs(4-x))
>>> target_list
[2, 1, 8, 20]