can we get sorted grep output

Question

I have same: 1.txt with apple written in it, 2.txt with mango written in it, 3.txt with apple written in it, 4.txt with mango written in it.

grep -e apple -e mango *.txt will give result as:

1.txt: apple
2.txt: mango
3.txt: apple
4.txt: mango

But I need output as:

1.txt: apple
3.txt: apple
2.txt: mango
4.txt: mango

Is it possible with just grep command ? -- without using any other command like sort or so

Solution

It is not possible by only using grep. You have to use another tool e.g. sort:

$ grep -e apple -e mango *.txt | sort -t: -k2,2
1.txt:apple
3.txt:apple
2.txt:mango
4.txt:mango

Comments

[clerksx]

No, and even if there was, it would be wrong. Use sort.

[jordanm]

No, grep does not perform sorting.