Simpler way of sorting list of lists indexed by one list in Python -

i want sort list of 2 lists, elements in 2 lists pairs.

i want sort lists second element in these pairs.

for example if have

a_list = [[51132, 55274, 58132], [190, 140, 180]] 

and want

sorted_list = [[55274, 58132, 51132], [140, 180, 190]] 

is there simpler way following in python2.7?

from operator import itemgetter sorted_list = map(list, zip(*sorted(map(list,zip(*a_list)), key=itemgetter(1)))) 

best regards, Øystein

i bit reluctant post answer, why not, actually?

no, there no simpler way achieve sort in python -- except can drop inner map:

>>> map(list, zip(*sorted(zip(*a_list), key=itemgetter(1)))) [[55274, 58132, 51132], [140, 180, 190]] 

it may seem bit convoluted @ first (though not as with additional map), it's totally clear: zip list, sort second element, , zip back. knows python should understand code does.

if want make clearer, either add line comment describing sort does, or wrap inside function descriptive name , same or more extensive comment.