Multi-column multi-data type internationalized sort extension method for web applications

1. A method for implementing a front-end user sort request, the method comprising:

receiving an XML list request object;

decomposing said XML list request object in cache and repetitively creating a sort entry object in said cache for each row included in said XML list request object using a list of column values initially retrieved from a data storage medium and prepared for use in a set of sort entry objects in said cache, with each sort entry object including a row and one or more column values associated with the row;

creating a master sort entry object list in said cache containing each of said created sort entry objects, wherein the master sort entry object list includes a separate sort entry object for each row corresponding to said XML list request object;

performing a sort routine on at least a first column of said list of colunm values in each of said sort entry objects in said cache, wherein a compare function of said sort routine is dependent upon information obtained from said decomposing said list request, said sort routing further comprising:

determining the existence of one or more parent subsets within said first colunm of said list of column values in each of said sort entry objects; and

sorting each parent subset within said first colunm using colunm values from a next most significant column, wherein a compare function used for sorting said next most significant column is based upon user characteristics included in said sort entry objects, a sort directions list, and a data type list for each of said number of columns corresponding to said list request;

rebuilding said XML list request object in accordance with the completion of said sort routine; and

returning configured data to a front-end user in accordance with said user characteristics.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said information obtained from said decomposing said XML list request object further comprises at least one of: user characteristics, a sort directions list, and a data type list for each of a number of columns corresponding to said list request.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

upon completion of sorting a given parent subset, determining the existence of one or more child subsets within said given parent subset and sorting each determined child subset; and

upon completion of sorting of each of said determined child subsets, returning to the colunm containing said given parent subset to determine whether any further parent subsets are present.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sort routine is based on a quicksort algorithm having a compare function thereof modified in accordance with said information obtained from said decomposing said list request.

5. A system for implementing a front-end user sort request, comprising:

a server configured for receiving an XML list request object from a front-end device;

said server further including processing means for:

decomposing said XML list request object in cache and repetitively creating a sort entry object in said cache for each row included in said list request using a list of column values initially retrieved from a data storage medium and prepared for use in a set of sort entry objects in said cache, with each sort entry object including a row and one or more column values associated with the row;

creating a master sort entry object list in said cache containing each of said created sort entry objects, wherein the master sort entry object list includes a separate sort entry object for each row corresponding to said XML list request object;

performing a sort routine on at least a first colunm of said list of column values in each of said sort entry objects, wherein a compare function of said sort routine is dependent upon information obtained from said decomposing said XML list request object, said sort routing further comprising:

determining the existence of one or more parent subsets within said first column of said list of column values in each of said sort entry objects; and

sorting each parent subset within said first column using column values from a next most significant column, wherein a compare function used for sorting said next most significant column is based upon user characteristics included in said sort entry objects, a sort directions list, and a data type list for each of said number of columns corresponding to said XML list request object; and

rebuilding said list request in accordance with the completion of said sort routine.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said information obtained by said server from said decomposing said XML list request object further comprises at least one of: user characteristics, a sort directions list, and a data type list for each of a number of columns corresponding to said list request.