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

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

a server configured for receiving an XML list request object from a front-end device, and for receiving user characteristics associated with said XML list request object;

said server further including processing means for:

retrieving data corresponding to said XML list request object from a data storage medium;

configuring said retrieved data in accordance with said user characteristics by implementing a sort routine on said retrieved data in accordance with a collation corresponding to said user characteristics, regardless of the locale of said data storage medium, wherein said implementing a sort routine further comprises:

decomposing, in cache, said XML list request objects and repetitively creating a plurality of sort entry objects in said cache using a list of column values initially retrieved from said 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;

performing a sort operation on at least a first column of said list of column values in said sort entry object in said cache, wherein a compare function of said sort operation is dependent upon information obtained from said decomposing said XML list request object; and

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

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

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said user characteristics are included within said XML list request object.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said user characteristics include a language code and a country code.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein said XML list request object further comprises at least one of: a sort request and a query.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said implementing a sort routine further comprises:

storing each of the sort entry objects in a master sort list, the master sort list including a separate sort entry object for each row corresponding to said XML list request object, with each sort entry object including a list of column values per row.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said sort operation is based on a quicksort algorithm having said compare function modified in accordance with said information obtained from said decomposing said XML list request object.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

said server further comprises a web-based application; and

said front-end device further comprises a web browser.