title: JSP TableTag Sorting
body: <p>I'm working on a legacy system that uses JSPs. Specifically, there is a <code>&lt;display:table&gt;</code> tag that allows the user to sort the columns of data. However, when the default tag is used, it sorts only alphabetically, by integer, or by double. I'm looking for a way to inject custom logic into the call stack so that I can use the <code>dataType</code> attribute of <code>&lt;display:column&gt;</code> to sort values like "$5,000,000.00" and not have "$5,100" listed before it.</p>
  
  <p>I have a fully tested comparator that can be used by the sort mechanism.</p>
  
  <p>I'm open to any ideas. These are the ones I have come up with:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>I've found some <a href="http://displaytag.sourceforge.net/11/displaytag/tagreference.html#column" rel="nofollow">other implementations</a> that take a <code>comparator</code>. I plan to test this first to see if it will work with what I have currently. This type of change is a large systematic change with testing implications, however.</li>
  <li>Re-implement <code>TableTag</code> and <code>ColumnTag</code>. However, I can't find the actual source to see what these generally do. So much for the "Open Source" designation.</li>
  </ul>