How does lexicographical ordering work?

Can you explain what lexicographical ordering is?

Sure! Lexicographical ordering is a method of sorting items based on the order of their component elements, similar to how words are arranged in a dictionary.

How does it work with strings?

When comparing strings, lexicographical order checks each character from left to right. The first differing character determines the order.

Can you give me an example?

Of course! For example, the strings "apple" and "banana" are compared character by character. Since 'a' comes before 'b', "apple" is considered less than "banana".

What about numbers? Is it the same?

Good question! Numbers are also sorted lexicographically, but they are compared as strings. For example, "10" comes before "2" because '1' is less than '2'.