T a,
T b
) T b
The signature of a generic comparison function.
A comparison function represents an ordering on a type of objects. A total ordering on a type means that for two values, either they are equal or one is greater than the other (and the latter must then be smaller than the former).
A Comparator function represents such a total ordering by returning
- a negative integer if
a
is smaller thanb
, - zero if
a
is equal tob
, and - a positive integer if
a
is greater thanb
.