Hello how can I update a list for instance. I have this ```fun getList() : List<Foo> val myLi...

# getting-started

[Pablo]

Hello how can I update a list for instance.
I have this

fun getList() : List<Foo>

val myList = getList()

Now I want depending on my flag sort or not that list, I've tried it but did not work

val myList = getList().apply { if(bar) mySorter.sort(this) }

Is there any kotlinian way to sort the list instead of creating a new val?

[Stephan Schroeder]

no

[Joffrey]

The List type represents read-only lists. If you're getting such a list, you can't modify it, but you can create a new list with sorted elements by using myList.sorted(). You don't have to create a new variable though:

val myList = getList().let { if(bar) it.sorted() else it }

Now if you created your own implementation of sorter that works in-place (and modifies the initial list), you will first have to create a mutable copy of the list, for instance by using getList().toMutableList().