sorting ID (n)~ A code which dictates the correct order for sorting the characters of a language. The sorting ID is used in conjunction with a locale ID to distinguish between default sorts and alternate sorts for locales which have more than one sorting order. sorting order (n)~ A way to arrange data based on value or data type. You can sort data alphabetically numerically or by date. Sort orders use an ascending (1 to 9 A to Z) or descending (9 to 1 Z to A) order.