Sort an array of numbers using the Shell sort algorythm. This sorting algorythm will quickly sort arrays in Crystal Reports.

Function ShellSort(Values() As Number)


‘exit if array has no elements
If Ubound(Values)=0 Then Exit Function

‘account for optional arguments
Dim LastElement As number
LastElement = UBound(Values)

‘Crystal Reports’ arrays are 1-based.
Dim FirstElement As Number
FirstElement = 1

Dim Elements As Number
Elements = LastElement – FirstElement + 1

‘find the best value for distance
Dim distance As Number
Do

distance = distance * 3 + 1

Loop Until distance > Elements

Dim temp as number
Dim index As Number, index2 As Number

Do

distance = distance \ 3
For index = distance + FirstElement To LastElement

temp = Values(index)
index2 = index

Do While (Values(index2 – distance) > temp)

Values(index2) = Values(index2 – distance)
index2 = index2 – distance
If index2 – distance < FirstElement Then Exit Do

Loop

Values(index2) = temp

Next
Loop Until distance = 1

ShellSort=Values
End Function

Parameters

Values

An array of numbers.

Return Value

A sorted array of numbers

Remarks

Arrays in Crystal Reports are limit to 1000 elements.

Example

//create an array of numbers
Numbervar Array numbers:=[44,2,77,4,9,1,0,55,3];

//sort the array
numbers:=ShellSort(numbers);

//returns 0,1,2,3,4,9,44,55,77,
numbervar i;

stringvar t;
for i := 1 to ubound(numbers) do

t:=t & cstr(numbers[i],0) & “,”;

t;

Requirements

This function requires the use of Basic Syntax.

Business Objects · Crystal Reports · Functions · Programming