What is the difference between `sorted(list)` vs `list.sort()`?

Question

As far as I know, the list.sort() sorts the list and replaces the original list, whereas sorted(list) returns a sorted copy of the list, without changing the original list.

Can I convert it back to the unsorted state after the list.sort() has been implemented?

Answer 1

Kindly be informed that the sorted() function will return a new sorted list, leaving the original list unchanged. Whereas the list.sort() will sort the list in-place, mutating the list indices, and returns None (like all in-place operations).

sorted() works on any iterable, not just lists. When you want to mutate the list, you can work with list.sort(), use sorted() when you want a new sorted object back. Use sorted() when you want to sort something that is iterable, not a list yet.

One more interesting thing is that the list.sort() is faster than sorted() because it doesn't have to create a copy. For any other iterable, you have no choice.

No, you cannot retrieve the original positions. Once you called the list.sort() the original order is gone.

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