\setupbibtex[sort=author]

[Michael Green <merely.ridiculous@gmail.com>]

I would like to have a list of references sorted alphabetically by  
author surnames.

My environment file has \setupbibtex[sort=author] and  
\setuppublications[sorttype=bbl]

As I understand it, the \setupbibtex instruction is supposed to  
influence the .aux file. Specifically, the .aux file is supposed to  
include this line: \bibstyle{cont-au}. Then, bibtex will read the aux  
file and produce a .bbl file that is sorted alphabetically. Then  
ConTeXt's bib module will read the .bbl file and follow the sorting  
it finds in that file.

However, after each ConTeXt run this line in the .aux file is set as   
\bibstyle{cont-no}. This happens in both Mk IV and Mk II, ConTeXt   
ver: 2008.08.05 18:47

I can change the relevant line in the aux file by hand, from \bibstyle 
{cont-no} to \bibstyle{cont-au}. This gives me the desired result  
when the file was processed by ConTeXt. The reference list is sorted  
alphabetically.

In fact, subsequent ConTeXt runs using Mk IV (but not Mk II) produce  
an alphabetically sorted reference list, despite the changed line in  
the .aux file, provided bibtex is not run in the meantime. (Mk II  
runs it automatically but Mk IV doesn't ... I think)

But this is not a fully stable situation. Suppose the bib file  
changes. Then I would run bibtex again. And then the alphabetical  
sorting is undone. Or, it was when I tested it.

I don't know if this is a bug, a misunderstanding on my part, or a  
feature to be added later. If my memory is correct, this is not the  
way that Mk II used to behave. But in any event, It would be great to  
know of a more automatic way of handling this if one is available.

Thank you!

Michael
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