# Sorting array of strings in c

Is there a simpler way with a simpler notation to do the following part of code:

void swap(char **s1, char **s2){
char *tmp=*s1;
*s1=*s2;
*s2=tmp;
}

void sort(char ***m, int dim){
int i, j, flag=1;

for(i=0; i<dim-1 && flag==1; i++){
flag=0;
for(j=0; j<dim-1; j++)
if(strcmp((*m)[j],(*m)[j+1])>0){
swap(&(*m)[j],&(*m)[j+1]);
flag=1;
}
}
}

int main(int argc, char *argv[]){

char **m, s[30];
int i;

m=malloc(N*sizeof(char *));
for(i=0; i<N; i++){
scanf("%s", s);
m[i]=strdup(s);
}

sort(&m, N);
for(i=0; i<N; i++)
printf("%s\n", m[i]);

for(i=0; i<N; i++)
free(m[i]);
free(m);

return 0;
}


The aim is to sort an array of strings allocated dynamically. What I've written above works but I want to know if there is a more efficient and readable way to write the function sort.

## migrated from stackoverflow.comAug 12 '16 at 12:07

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Assuming the logic of your sort code is correct.

You can just have your sort function as:

void sort(char **m, int dim);


Your sort function can be like:

void sort(char **m, int dim) {
int i, j, flag=1;

for(i=0; i<dim-1 && flag==1; i++){
flag=0;
for(j=0; j<dim-1; j++)
if(strcmp(m[j],m[j+1])>0){
swap(&m[j],&m[j+1]);
flag=1;
}
}
}


This improves some readability. There is no need to pass &m - like (sort(&m, N)) - to your sort. Just passing m - like sort(m, N) - is enough for changing/comparing/swapping m[i] and m[j].

• @Iu Tub Your code still can be improved performance wise. As you have written, it has O(n^2) worst case time complexity. You can make it nlog(n) if you write a merge sort, or nlog(n) in average case if you write quick sort. – sps Aug 5 '16 at 15:36