pandas Sorting Operations: An Introduction and Practical Guide to the sort_values Function
This article introduces the sorting method of the `sort_values` function in pandas, which is applicable to sorting DataFrame/Series data. Core parameters: `by` specifies the column(s) to sort by (required), `ascending` controls ascending/descending order (default is ascending True), and `inplace` determines whether to modify the original data (default is False, returning a new dataset). Basic usage: Single-column sorting, e.g., ascending order by "Chinese" (default) or descending order by "Math"; multi-column sorting can pass a list of column names and corresponding ascending/descending directions (e.g., first by "Chinese" ascending, then by "Math" descending). Setting `inplace=True` directly modifies the original data; it is recommended to prioritize preserving the original data (default False). Practical examples: After adding a "Total Score" column, sort by total score in descending order to clearly display the ranking of comprehensive scores. Notes: For multi-column sorting, ensure the lengths of the `by` and `ascending` lists are consistent; prioritize data safety to avoid accidental overwriting of original data. By mastering core parameters and common scenarios through examples, sorting serves as a foundational step in data processing, becoming more critical when combined with subsequent analyses (e.g., TopN).
Read MoreBeginner's Guide to pandas Index: Mastering Data Sorting and Renaming Effortlessly
### Detailed Explanation of pandas Index An index is a key element in pandas for identifying data positions and content, similar to row numbers/column headers in Excel. It serves as the "ID card" of data, with core functions including quick data location, supporting sorting and merging operations. **Data Sorting**: - **Series Sorting**: To sort by index, use `sort_index()` (ascending by default; set `ascending=False` for descending order). To sort by values, use `sort_values()` (ascending by default; same parameter for descending order). - **DataFrame Sorting**: Sort by column values using `sort_values(by=column_name)`, and sort by row index using `sort_index()`. **Renaming Indexes**: - Modify row/column labels with `rename()`, e.g., `df.rename(index={old_name: new_name})` or `df.rename(columns={old_name: new_name})`. - Direct assignment: `df.index = [new_index]` or `df.columns = [new_column_names]`, with length consistency required. **Notes**: - Distinguish between row index (`df.index`) and column index (`df.columns`). - When modifying indexes,
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