How to create a new value with information from multiple columns?

Question

I have dataset that has columns that need to be sorted based on multiple columns.

The first column contains a name and the second a number, the names are not unique. What I want is a NewID from 1 to 10 per name based on the descending value of the number. Like this: example

Any ideas how this can be done? Preferably in ArcMap.

• Comrade Che: Do you need a python script or step by step algorithm as an answer?
• Michiel: Python script that can be used in field calculator would be nice.
• Vince: ArcMap and FME require different solutions, which makes this question too broad. A Python solution requires you to provide the code you've developed to date. Please Edit the question.
• Michiel: I removed FME, I currently do not have a python script.

Answer 1

I know you removed FME but for the record, a Sorter, sorting by the NameID and then secondly the number, followed by a Counter with the Counter ID set to the value of the NameID attribute will do exactly what you want.

Answer 2

This is will not answer your question but it might help you to solve your problem. Here is how to sort lists in python:

import pprint
table = [
 [1,'H',-1],
 [2,'D',2],
 [3,'D',8],
 [4,'D',1],
 [5,'H',68],
 [6,'H',97],
 [7,'H',88],
]
print 'Before sorting:'
print '[OBJECTID, NameID, Number]'
pprint.pprint(table)
print 
print 'After sorting:'
print '[OBJECTID, NameID, Number]'
pprint.pprint(
 sorted(table, key=lambda x: (x[1], x[2]))
 )

Excetuting this script gives:

Before sorting:
[OBJECTID, NameID, Number]
[[1, 'H', -1],
 [2, 'D', 2],
 [3, 'D', 8],
 [4, 'D', 1],
 [5, 'H', 68],
 [6, 'H', 97],
 [7, 'H', 88]]
After sorting:
[OBJECTID, NameID, Number]
[[4, 'D', 1],
 [2, 'D', 2],
 [3, 'D', 8],
 [1, 'H', -1],
 [5, 'H', 68],
 [7, 'H', 88],
 [6, 'H', 97]]