Sorting a multi array help

Question

I am new to programming and have issues writing the proper code to sort an array, I am not looking for anyone to write the entire code for me as it is already done but I cannot get it to sort and print the information by the item name. Here is my array and every code I have tried does not sort the information it only prints in the order of the array.
Prod[0] = new Product( "Computer", "40-7-1-0", 25, 1250 );
Prod[1] = new Product( "Video Card", "30-4-18-0", 150, 500);
Prod[2] = new Product( "Drive", "30-5-20-0", 500, 89);
When the program shows the data it is supposed to print in order IE
Computer ....
Drive ....
Video Card ...
I just do not understand how to get the program to sort the information correctly, if anyone can point me towards some information or examples on how to sort the array type it would be greatly appreciated so I can move forward, thanks!!

Answer 1

try this:
package com.myCompany;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Collections;
import java.util.List;
public class Product implements Comparable<Product> {
     String      name;
     String      productNumber;
     int      numberInStock;
     /** constructor */
     public Product(String name, String productNumber, int numberInStock){
          this.name=               name;
          this.productNumber=     productNumber;
          this.numberInStock=     numberInStock;
     public String getName(){
          return name;
    public int compareTo(Product n) {
        int lastCmp = name.compareTo(n.name);
        return (lastCmp != 0 ? lastCmp :
                name.compareTo(n.name));
     public String toString(){
          return name+" "+productNumber+" "+numberInStock;
     /** demonstrates that this class sorts Product by name */
     public static void main(String[] args){
          //lets get an unsorted list of items (name= a,c,b)
          Product product1=new Product("a","1234",5);
          Product product2=new Product("c","1234",7);
          Product product3=new Product("b","1234",3);
          List<Product> products= new ArrayList<Product>();
          products.add(product1);
          products.add(product2);
          products.add(product3);
          Collections.sort(products);
          //this shows products are printed out by name sorted (name= a,b,c)
          for(Product product :  products){
               System.out.println(product.toString());
}