Sorting the output
------------------
These options change the order in which `ls' sorts the information
it outputs. By default, sorting is done by character code (e.g., ASCII
order).
`-c'
`--time=ctime'
`--time=status'
`--time=use'
If the long listing format (e.g., `-l', `-o') is being used, print
the status change time (the `ctime' in the inode) instead of the
modification time. When explicitly sorting by time (`--sort=time'
or `-t') or when not using a long listing format, sort according
to the status change time.
`-f'
Primarily, like `-U'--do not sort; list the files in whatever
order they are stored in the directory. But also enable `-a' (list
all files) and disable `-l', `--color', and `-s' (if they were
specified before the `-f').
`-r'
`--reverse'
Reverse whatever the sorting method is--e.g., list files in reverse
alphabetical order, youngest first, smallest first, or whatever.
`-S'
`--sort=size'
Sort by file size, largest first.
`-t'
`--sort=time'
Sort by modification time (the `mtime' in the inode), newest first.
`-u'
`--time=atime'
`--time=access'
If the long listing format (e.g., `--format=long') is being used,
print the last access time (the `atime' in the inode). When
explicitly sorting by time (`--sort=time' or `-t') or when not
using a long listing format, sort according to the access time.
`-U'
`--sort=none'
Do not sort; list the files in whatever order they are stored in
the directory. (Do not do any of the other unrelated things that
`-f' does.) This is especially useful when listing very large
directories, since not doing any sorting can be noticeably faster.
`-v'
`--sort=version'
Sort by version name and number, lowest first. It behaves like a
default sort, except that each sequence of decimal digits is
treated numerically as an index/version number. (Note:More
details about version sort.)
`-X'
`--sort=extension'
Sort directory contents alphabetically by file extension
(characters after the last `.'); files with no extension are
sorted first.