code: def sort(self, sortlist, name='',
               limit=0, offset=0, style='Python'):
          
          command = 'select from $1 orderby ' + sortlist
          if limit > 0:
              command += ' limit %d' % limit
          if offset > 0:
              command += ' offset %d' % offset
          if name:
              command += ' giving ' + name
          return tablecommand(command, style, [self])
docs: Sort the table and return the result as a reference table.
  
          This method sorts the table. It forms a
          `TaQL <../../doc/199.html>`_
          command from the given arguments and executes it using the
          :func:`taql` function.
          The result is returned in a so-called reference table which references
          the columns and rows in the original table. Usually a reference
          table is temporary, but it can be made persistent by giving it a name.
          Note that a reference table is handled as any table, thus can be
          queried again.
  
          `sortlist`
            The ORDERBY part of a TaQL command. It is a single string in which
            commas have to be used to separate sort keys. A sort key can be the
            name of a column, but it can be an expression as well.
          `name`
            The name of the reference table if it is to be made persistent.
          `limit`
            If > 0, maximum number of rows to be selected after the sort step.
            It can, for instance, be used to select the N highest values.
          `offset`
            If > 0, ignore the first `offset` matches after the sort step.
          `style`
            The TaQL syntax style to be used (defaults to Python).