Print lists in alphabetical order(with numbers) in python -

i need print multiple lists need printed in alphabetical order, .sort wont work because there numbers involved.

"""define function retrive short shelf life items in alphabetical order""" def retrieveshortshelflifeitems(oneitemlist):     if shelflife <= 7:         shortlifeitemslist.append(oneitemlist)     return shortlifeitemslist  #initializes short shelf life list shortlifeitemslist = []  shortlifeitems = [['steak', ' 10.00', ' 7', '10.50'], ['canned corn', ' .50', ' 5', '0.53']]  #print items short shelf life item in shortlifeitems:     print("{:^20s}${:^16s}{:^20s}${:^16s}"\           .format((item[0]),item[1],item[2],item[3])) 

so prints:

   steak        $      10.00               7         $     10.50       canned corn     $       .50                5         $      0.53       

when suppose print:

canned corn     $       .50                5         $      0.53    steak        $      10.00               7         $     10.50       

any suggestions??

you can use sorted function this

for item in sorted(shortlifeitems):     ... 

it compares each , every item in list , returns items in sorted order. when compares nested lists this, first compares first element of both items , if equal second , if equal, third , goes on till end.

you can read more how various sequences compared in python, here