Methods, systems and articles of manufacture configured for list sorting are provided. In general, string data or non-string data contained in a plurality of lists is sorted. In one embodiment, the plurality of lists comprise at least two list types (e.g. a file list, a user list, a task list, etc.) in which one list type contains string data and one list type contains non-string data. In order to sort various data types, a generic data retrieval method/component and a specific retrieval method/component are provided. The generic data retrieval method/component may be singular, while an instance of the specific retrieval method/component may be implemented for each list type. In addition, a single generic list sorter is provided and is configured to support sorting of data received from both the generic and specific data retrieval method/components.