Parameters

a

The first object to compare. [Edit]

b

The second object to compare. [Edit]

a

Documentation for this section has not yet been entered. [Edit]

Returns

The return value is a negative number, zero, or a positive number reflecting the sort order of a as compared to b. For non-zero return values, the exact value returned by this method is unspecified. The following table defines the return value:

Value	Condition
A negative number	a < b.
Zero	a == b.
A positive number	a > b.

Note: A null reference is considered to compare less than any other non-null object, and equal to any other null reference, independent of the underlying Type of either object.

[Edit]

Exceptions

Type	Reason
ArgumentException	Both a and b are not null and do not implement the IComparable interface. -or- Both a and b are not null and are not assignment-compatible types. [Edit]

Remarks

The behavior of this method is as follows:

• If a implements the IComparable interface, returns a.CompareTo(b).
• If a does not implement the IComparable interface but b does, returns the negated result of b.CompareTo(a).
• If a and b both are not null and do not implement the IComparable interface, ArgumentException is thrown.

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Requirements

Namespace: System.Collections
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
Assembly Versions: 1.0.5000.0, 2.0.0.0