Sort by title algorithms

title-sort.php

/**
 * @param $a
 * @param $b
 * @return int
 *
 * Assumes that the list is already sorted alphabetically, this function will sort Directors, Associate Directors, and
 * Assistant directors to the front of the list, respectively.
 */
function sortByTitle ($a, $b)
{
    $aTitle = $a->Title;
    $bTitle = $b->Title;

    $titleOrder = array(
        'Director',
        'Associate Director',
        'Assistant Director',
    );

    foreach($titleOrder as $title)
    {
        if($aTitle == $title)
        {
            return -1;
        }
        else if($bTitle == $title)
        {
            return 1;
        }
    }
    return 0;
}

weighted-sort.php

function sortByTitle ($a, $b) 
{
        static $sorted = array(
            'Director' => 3,
            'Associate Director' => 2,
            'Assistant Director' => 1,
        );

        if ($sorted[$a->Title] > $sorted[$b->Title]) {
            return -1;
        } elseif ($sorted[$a->Title] < $sorted[$b->Title]) {
            return 1;
        }

        return 0;
    }