Given an array of strings arr[] of size N, the task is to sort the array of strings in lexicographical order and if while sorting for any two string A and string B, if string A is prefix of string B then string B should come in the sorted order.

Examples:

Input:_ arr[] = {“sun”, “moon”, “mock”}_

Output:

mock

moon

sun

Explanation:

The lexicographical sorting is mock, moon, and sun.

Input:_ arr[] = {“geeks”, “geeksforgeeks”, “geeksforgeeks”}_

Output:

geeksforgeeks

geeksfor

geeks

Approach: The idea is to sort the given array of strings using the inbuilt sort function using the below comparator function. The comparator function used to check if any string occurs as a substring in another string using compare() function in C++ then, it should arrange them in decreasing order of their length.

**bool** my_compare(string a, string b)

{

// If any string is a substring then

// return the size with greater length

**if** (a.compare(0, b.size(), b) == 0

|| b.compare(0, a.size(), a) == 0)

**return** a.size() & gt;

b.size();

// Else return lexicographically

// smallest string

**else** **return** a & lt;

b;

}

Below is the implementation of the above approach:

  • C++

// C++ program for the above approach

#include <bits/stdc++.h>

**using** **namespace** std;

// Function to print the vector

**void** Print(vector<string> v)

{

**for** (``**auto** i : v)

cout << i << endl;

}

// Comparator function to sort the

// array of string wrt given conditions

**bool** my_compare(string a, string b)

{

// Check if a string is present as

// prefix in another string, then

// compare the size of the string

// and return the larger size

**if** (a.compare(0, b.size(), b) == 0

|| b.compare(0, a.size(), a) == 0)

**return** a.size() > b.size();

// Else return lexicographically

// smallest string

**else**

**return** a < b;

}

// Driver Code

**int** main()

{

// GIven vector of strings

vector<string> v = { "batman"``, "bat"``, "apple" };

// Calling Sort STL with my_compare

// function passed as third parameter

sort(v.begin(), v.end(), my_compare);

// Function call to print the vector

Print(v);

**return** 0;

}

Output:

apple
batman
bat

Time Complexity:_ O(N*log N)_

Auxiliary Space:_ O(1)_

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#arrays #sorting #strings #lexicographic-ordering #prefix

Sort an array of strings lexicographically based on prefix
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