Problem with sorting

************************************************************************ * Do not Cc: me, because I READ THIS LIST, if I write here * * Keine Cc: am mich, ich LESE DIESE LISTE wenn ich hier schreibe * ************************************************************************ Hello, I have a Database of µChips and I want to sort it "case insensitive" and in "numerical order" in the same time. Since the name of the µChips are mostly [:alpha:][:num:]* I am running into problems since the first one can have 0-5 characters. So, what I need is to get the substring (leading [:alpha:]) unify and sort it and not use a loop over it, and get all chips from the category. Now from each category cut the [:alpha:], the sort numerical and after this re-add the cuted [:alpha:]. Hmmmm, first I am searching a solution the get the "Categories", which mean, the leading [:alpha:] AND, if numerical "categories" exist, there first number. The listing should be something like 3 8 AW AT DS ICL LM MAX W Does somone has a solution for it? (I do not like to reinvent the wheel) Thanks, Greetings and nice Day/Evening Michelle Konzack Systemadministrator 24V Electronic Engineer Tamay Dogan Network Debian GNU/Linux Consultant -- Linux-User #280138 with the Linux Counter, http://counter.li.org/ ##################### Debian GNU/Linux Consultant ##################### Michelle Konzack Apt. 917 ICQ #328449886 +49/177/9351947 50, rue de Soultz MSN LinuxMichi +33/6/61925193 67100 Strasbourg/France IRC #Debian (irc.icq.com)