Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting a stream of data such as a numerical or alphabetical list by stratifying vis-a-vis a hierarchal system thereby providing a list of items. This method begins with an unsorted list. For example, if a field of data is to be alphabetized, it groups words letter by letter, and it ends up with a sorted list. The sorting begins by grouping words according to their first letter. All words that begin with the same letter end up in the same group. The first group typically contains all words that begin with "A" if words are sorted or "1" if numbers are sorted. This method then takes the first group and re-groups it according to the second letter. The first group is thereby subdivided into smaller groups. Re-grouping continues in this fashion until the first group contains only one item. That one item is now sorted and it becomes the first item in the new sorted list. Re-grouping continues group by group and letter by letter until the entire list is sorted.