How to sort a multi dimensional array in PHP alphabetically?

Question

My API written in PHP (Codeigniter) outputs users based on a selected keyword how can I sort this array in alphabetical order before it outputs to JSON.

This is the outp

Answer 1

This one works. Tried, tested, and true:

function sort_by_lastname($a, $b) {
    $a = trim($a['user']['basic'][0]['lastname']);
    $b = trim($b['user']['basic'][0]['lastname']);
    return strcmp($a,$b);
}

uasort($array['contacts'],'sort_by_lastname');

Answer 2

You can use usort for this: http://php.net/manual/en/function.usort.php

Which enables you to sort using your own function.

Example:

$users = $your_array['contacts'];
// or $users = $your_array->contacts;

usort ($users, 'sort_by_lastname');

$your_array['contacts'] = $users;
// or $your_array->contacts = $users; if it's json instead of array

function sort_by_lastname($a, $b)
{
    return strcmp($a['user']['basic']['lastname'], $b['user']['basic']['lastname']);
}