C# Guidance to sort by color

Hi Ram.

I really enjoyed the challenge this request gave me.

I hope what I provided gives you inspiration and ideas.

Some information about how it works.

My LINQ skills are a bit rusty.

In order to get the colors to group as presented from left to right with letters I had to take the data list, destroy it and rebuild it from an LINQ group of colors as opposed to just using the list's Sort method and implementing the IComparable Interface.

LINQ may provide a means of listing colors without having to rebuild the list, but from what I seen when using group item by item.ColorName and so forth, all that does is create a new list of groups with the color names as opposed to the entire object. With group of color names I had no chioce but to rebuild the list. You see this in the comments in my code. Again, my LINQ skills are bit rusty so there may have been a way, but for now this what I did.

This is application start

Color Options:

Use all colors available: Makes available about 138 colors. This makes seeing color groups difficult but its really, really, really coloful, so I had to add it as option :)

Use basic colors available: Make available about 18 colors. This makes seeing color groups easier, because there less competing color hues.

Sort Options:

Alpha color sort: Sorts the color name first alphabetically, then sorts the letter in that color alphabetically. Does not destroy List but uses it sort and IComparable functionality.

Rebuilt Sort: Sorts the color as it appears in the top textbox listing it in the bottom textbox from left right. Then sorts the letters in that color group alphabetically.

If you select use Basic Colors and Rebuilt Sort the applicaiton will run exactly as you requested. Otherwise you can play around the options and see varying results.

All available colors using alpha sort

Exactly what you requested

This project is developed using Visual Studio 2017 Community Edition.

Anyone may goto Microsoft's website and download VS2017 Community Edition free of charge. Its free!

The project file is include so anyone who reads this is welcome to download, get some ideas and maybe perk some inspirations.

Have Fun! I appreciate your time.

Sample Code Teaser: Main UI Form.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace ColorSort
{
public partial class TextCanvas : Form
{
// Class: TextCanvas
// User Interface - Presentation Layer
private AlphaEngine m_alphaEngine = null;
#region " Constructor and Load "
public TextCanvas()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
private void TextCanvas_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
// ui state starts
optAllColors.Checked = true;
optColorSort.Checked = true;
// set alpha engine state
SetAlphaEngineState();
m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
}
#endregion
#region " UI State "
private void SetAlphaEngineState()
{
// start the alpha engine
if(optAllColors.Checked==true) { m_alphaEngine = new AllColors(); }
if(optBasicColors.Checked==true) { m_alphaEngine = new BasicColors(); }
// (re) or (un) subscribe to the publisher events
// this is kind of hackish but it may prevent stacking eventhandlers
m_alphaEngine.OnLoaded -=this.AlphaEngine_OnLoaded;
m_alphaEngine.OnLoaded += this.AlphaEngine_OnLoaded;
m_alphaEngine.OnRandomized -= this.AlphaEngine_OnRandomized;
m_alphaEngine.OnRandomized += this.AlphaEngine_OnRandomized;
m_alphaEngine.OnSorted -= this.AlphaEngine_OnSorted;
m_alphaEngine.OnSorted += this.AlphaEngine_OnSorted;
m_alphaEngine.OnRebuiltSorted -= this.AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted;
m_alphaEngine.OnRebuiltSorted += this.AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted;
txtSorted.Text = string.Empty;
}
#endregion
#region " WndProc MessagePumps "
#region " Event Subscriptions "
private void AlphaEngine_OnLoaded(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
{
// Method: AlphaEngine_OnLoaded
// builds an a string of the 26 letters and shows
// this string in the text box
Listletters = e.Letters;
// default color anything on load to color window
txtLetters.SelectAll();
txtLetters.SelectionBackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Window;
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
foreach (Alpha a in letters)
{
sb.Append(a);
}
txtLetters.Text = sb.ToString();
}
private void AlphaEngine_OnRandomized(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
{
// Method: DisplayColorAlphas
// Selects each alpha and colors its background with its color
int index = 0;
int length = 1;
List letters = e.Letters;
foreach (Alpha a in letters)
{
txtLetters.Select(index, length);
txtLetters.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
index++;
length++;
}
}
private void AlphaEngine_OnSorted(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
{
// Method: AlphaEngine_OnSorted
// Sorts the color names alphabetically
// and sort the letters next
// NOTES: This sort does not meet Ram Pasad's requirements
// I put this in here to demonstrate the difference
// between sorting with an existing list vs
// hacking the list with LINQ and then rebuilding it from
// the LINQ group hack
// NOTES: The issue is are you sorting it (which is desireable without destroying the List)
// or are you destroying your List, rebuilding it per a LINQ hack
// I'll admit I am weak with LINQ so there may be a LINQ way to sort the List
// rather than rebuild it. But I personally need to research it more.
List letters = e.Letters;
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
foreach (Alpha a in letters)
{
sb.Append(a);
}
txtSorted.Text = sb.ToString();
int index = 0;
int length = 1;
foreach (Alpha a in letters)
{
txtSorted.Select(index, length);
txtSorted.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
index++;
length++;
}
}
private void AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
{
// Method: AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted
// Uses a rebuilt sorted List
// Meets Ram Parad's requirements. In other words groups the color
// in the order in which it appears from left right.
// Then lists the letters alphabetically per each color group
List rebuiltList = e.Letters;
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
foreach (Alpha a in rebuiltList)
{
sb.Append(a);
}
txtSorted.Text = sb.ToString();
int index = 0;
int length = 1;
foreach (Alpha a in rebuiltList)
{
txtSorted.Select(index, length);
txtSorted.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
index++;
length++;
}
}
#endregion
private void btnMix_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
m_alphaEngine.RandomizeAlphaColors();
if(optColorSort.Checked==true)
{
m_alphaEngine.Sort();
}
if(optRebuiltSort.Checked==true)
{
m_alphaEngine.RebuiltSort();
}
}
private void optAllColors_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
SetAlphaEngineState();
m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
}
private void optBasicColors_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
SetAlphaEngineState();
m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
}
#endregion
}
}

2 Replies

Know the answer? Post it — somebody with the same question will find it here.

James Axsom8y ago
Hi Ram.
I really enjoyed the challenge this request gave me.
I hope what I provided gives you inspiration and ideas.

Some information about how it works.
My LINQ skills are a bit rusty.
In order to get the colors to group as presented from left to right with letters I had to take the data list, destroy it and rebuild it from an LINQ group of colors as opposed to just using the list's Sort method and implementing the IComparable Interface.

LINQ may provide a means of listing colors without having to rebuild the list, but from what I seen when using group item by item.ColorName and so forth, all that does is create a new list of groups with the color names as opposed to the entire object. With group of color names I had no chioce but to rebuild the list. You see this in the comments in my code. Again, my LINQ skills are bit rusty so there may have been a way, but for now this what I did.

This is application start

Color Options:
Use all colors available: Makes available about 138 colors. This makes seeing color groups difficult but its really, really, really coloful, so I had to add it as option :)
Use basic colors available: Make available about 18 colors. This makes seeing color groups easier, because there less competing color hues.
Sort Options:
Alpha color sort: Sorts the color name first alphabetically, then sorts the letter in that color alphabetically. Does not destroy List but uses it sort and IComparable functionality.
Rebuilt Sort: Sorts the color as it appears in the top textbox listing it in the bottom textbox from left right. Then sorts the letters in that color group alphabetically.

If you select use Basic Colors and Rebuilt Sort the applicaiton will run exactly as you requested. Otherwise you can play around the options and see varying results.

All available colors using alpha sort

Exactly what you requested

This project is developed using Visual Studio 2017 Community Edition.
Anyone may goto Microsoft's website and download VS2017 Community Edition free of charge. Its free!

The project file is include so anyone who reads this is welcome to download, get some ideas and maybe perk some inspirations.

Have Fun! I appreciate your time.

Sample Code Teaser: Main UI Form.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace ColorSort
{
    public partial class TextCanvas : Form
    {
        // Class: TextCanvas
        // User Interface - Presentation Layer

        private AlphaEngine m_alphaEngine = null;

        #region " Constructor and Load "
        public TextCanvas()
        {
            InitializeComponent();

        }

        private void TextCanvas_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // ui state starts
            optAllColors.Checked = true;
            optColorSort.Checked = true;

            // set alpha engine state
            SetAlphaEngineState();


            m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
        }

        #endregion

        #region " UI State "
        private void SetAlphaEngineState()
        {
            // start the alpha engine
            if(optAllColors.Checked==true) { m_alphaEngine = new AllColors(); }
            if(optBasicColors.Checked==true) { m_alphaEngine = new BasicColors(); }

            // (re) or (un) subscribe to the publisher events
            // this is kind of hackish but it may prevent stacking eventhandlers
            m_alphaEngine.OnLoaded -=this.AlphaEngine_OnLoaded;
            m_alphaEngine.OnLoaded += this.AlphaEngine_OnLoaded;
            m_alphaEngine.OnRandomized -= this.AlphaEngine_OnRandomized;
            m_alphaEngine.OnRandomized += this.AlphaEngine_OnRandomized;
            m_alphaEngine.OnSorted -= this.AlphaEngine_OnSorted;
            m_alphaEngine.OnSorted += this.AlphaEngine_OnSorted;
            m_alphaEngine.OnRebuiltSorted -= this.AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted;
            m_alphaEngine.OnRebuiltSorted += this.AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted;

            txtSorted.Text = string.Empty;
        }

        #endregion

        #region " WndProc MessagePumps "
        #region " Event Subscriptions "
        private void AlphaEngine_OnLoaded(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
        {
            // Method: AlphaEngine_OnLoaded
            // builds an a string of the 26 letters and shows
            // this string in the text box

            Listletters = e.Letters;

            // default color anything on load to color window
            txtLetters.SelectAll();
            txtLetters.SelectionBackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Window;

            StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();

            foreach (Alpha a in letters)
            {
                sb.Append(a);
            }

            txtLetters.Text = sb.ToString();
        }

        private void AlphaEngine_OnRandomized(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
        {
            // Method: DisplayColorAlphas
            // Selects each alpha and colors its background with its color

            int index = 0;
            int length = 1;

            List letters = e.Letters;

            foreach (Alpha a in letters)
            {
                txtLetters.Select(index, length);
                txtLetters.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
                index++;
                length++;
            }
        }

        private void AlphaEngine_OnSorted(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
        {
            // Method: AlphaEngine_OnSorted
            // Sorts the color names alphabetically
            // and sort the letters next

            // NOTES: This sort does not meet Ram Pasad's requirements
            // I put this in here to demonstrate the difference
            // between sorting with an existing list vs
            // hacking the list with LINQ and then rebuilding it from
            // the LINQ group hack

            // NOTES: The issue is are you sorting it (which is desireable without destroying the List)
            // or are you destroying your List, rebuilding it per a LINQ hack
            // I'll admit I am weak with LINQ so there may be a LINQ way to sort the List
            // rather than rebuild it. But I personally need to research it more.

            List letters = e.Letters;

            StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();

            foreach (Alpha a in letters)
            {
                sb.Append(a);
            }

            txtSorted.Text = sb.ToString();

            int index = 0;
            int length = 1;

            foreach (Alpha a in letters)
            {
                txtSorted.Select(index, length);
                txtSorted.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
                index++;
                length++;
            }

        }

        private void AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted(object sender, AlphaEventArgs e)
        {
            // Method: AlphaEngine_OnRebuiltSorted
            // Uses a rebuilt sorted List
            // Meets Ram Parad's requirements. In other words groups the color
            // in the order in which it appears from left right.
            // Then lists the letters alphabetically per each color group

            List rebuiltList = e.Letters;

            StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();

            foreach (Alpha a in rebuiltList)
            {
                sb.Append(a);
            }

            txtSorted.Text = sb.ToString();

            int index = 0;
            int length = 1;

            foreach (Alpha a in rebuiltList)
            {
                txtSorted.Select(index, length);
                txtSorted.SelectionBackColor = a.Color;
                index++;
                length++;
            }
        }
        #endregion


        private void btnMix_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            m_alphaEngine.RandomizeAlphaColors();

            if(optColorSort.Checked==true)
            {
                m_alphaEngine.Sort();
            }

            if(optRebuiltSort.Checked==true)
            {
                m_alphaEngine.RebuiltSort();
            }
        }

        private void optAllColors_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            SetAlphaEngineState();
            m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
        }

        private void optBasicColors_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            SetAlphaEngineState();
            m_alphaEngine.LoadAlphabet();
        }

        #endregion
    }
}
Sanghamitra Mohanty8y ago
Hi,

please reffer the link:-
https://answers.unity.com/questions/1210375/how-do-i-change-a-color-of-an-individual-alphabet.html

Here its showing Number are showing according to Alphabet, similarly we can rearrange the coulor accrding to Alphabet:-

https://www.aspsnippets.com/Articles/Generate-Unique-Random-Strings-containing-Letters-and-Numbers-AlphaNumeric-and-Numbers-Numeric-in-ASPNet-using-C-and-VBNet.aspx