Sorting is often used to turn data into information.
Sorting can be used to answer precise questions. For example, if you sort a list of student records by GPA you can quickly identify the top students on the list.
Sorting is also used to reveal patterns or trends. For example, consider a database of orders from a large furniture store after a busy weekend. If you sort sales records by customer zip code you can get an idea of where your customers reside. This might help you focus marketing efforts. If you sort sales records by commission agent the records for each employee will be grouped together and you can see at a glance how each employee is doing.
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