C# List<> Sort by x then y

For versions of .Net where you can use LINQ OrderBy and ThenBy (or ThenByDescending if needed):

using System.Linq;
....
List<SomeClass>() a;
List<SomeClass> b = a.OrderBy(x => x.x).ThenBy(x => x.y).ToList();

Note: for .Net 2.0 (or if you can't use LINQ) see Hans Passant answer to this question.


Do keep in mind that you don't need a stable sort if you compare all members. The 2.0 solution, as requested, can look like this:

 public void SortList() {
     MyList.Sort(delegate(MyClass a, MyClass b)
     {
         int xdiff = a.x.CompareTo(b.x);
         if (xdiff != 0) return xdiff;
         else return a.y.CompareTo(b.y);
     });
 }

Do note that this 2.0 solution is still preferable over the popular 3.5 Linq solution, it performs an in-place sort and does not have the O(n) storage requirement of the Linq approach. Unless you prefer the original List object to be untouched of course.