+ * This class defines a series of static methods that are used on a
+ * {@link Ext.data.Field} for performing sorting. The methods cast the
+ * underlying values into a data type that is appropriate for sorting on
+ * that particular field. If a {@link Ext.data.Field#type} is specified,
+ * the sortType will be set to a sane default if the sortType is not
+ * explicitly defined on the field. The sortType will make any necessary
+ * modifications to the value and return it.
+ * <ul>
+ * <li><b>asText</b> - Removes any tags and converts the value to a string</li>
+ * <li><b>asUCText</b> - Removes any tags and converts the value to an uppercase string</li>
+ * <li><b>asUCText</b> - Converts the value to an uppercase string</li>
+ * <li><b>asDate</b> - Converts the value into Unix epoch time</li>
+ * <li><b>asFloat</b> - Converts the value to a floating point number</li>
+ * <li><b>asInt</b> - Converts the value to an integer number</li>
+ * </ul>
+ * <p>
+ * It is also possible to create a custom sortType that can be used throughout
+ * an application.
+ * <pre><code>
+Ext.apply(Ext.data.SortTypes, {
+ asPerson: function(person){
+ // expects an object with a first and last name property
+ return person.lastName.toUpperCase() + person.firstName.toLowerCase();
+ }
+});
+
+Ext.define('Employee', {
+ extend: 'Ext.data.Model',
+ fields: [{
+ name: 'person',
+ sortType: 'asPerson'
+ }, {
+ name: 'salary',
+ type: 'float' // sortType set to asFloat
+ }]
+});
+ * </code></pre>
+ * </p>