👀 Views: 19 💬 Answers: 1 📅 Created: 2025-06-22

javascript sorting performance arrays

I'm working on a web application where I need to sort a large array of JSON objects based on multiple keys: `category`, then `date`, and finally `name`. The data set can contain thousands of objects, and I'm worried about performance since this will be done frequently as the user filters through options. I've started with the following approach: ```javascript const data = [ { category: 'fruits', date: '2023-10-01', name: 'apple' }, { category: 'fruits', date: '2023-10-02', name: 'banana' }, { category: 'vegetables', date: '2023-10-01', name: 'carrot' }, { category: 'fruits', date: '2023-10-01', name: 'pear' }, { category: 'vegetables', date: '2023-09-30', name: 'beet' } ]; data.sort((a, b) => { const categoryDiff = a.category.localeCompare(b.category); if (categoryDiff !== 0) return categoryDiff; const dateDiff = new Date(a.date) - new Date(b.date); if (dateDiff !== 0) return dateDiff; return a.name.localeCompare(b.name); }); ``` This works for small datasets, but as the array grows, I notice significant lag in the UI, and the sorting takes longer than expected. I've checked performance with the Chrome DevTools, and the `sort` function seems to take a substantial amount of time, especially when the array exceeds around 1,000 items. Is there a more efficient way to sort large arrays of objects in JavaScript? Should I consider a different sorting algorithm or data structure, or are there best practices I might be missing? Any advice on how to handle this while ensuring a smooth user experience would be greatly appreciated.