In alphabetizing, what principle must be remembered?

In alphabetizing, the essential principle to keep in mind is that "nothing comes before something." This means that when organizing items, particularly words or names, one must ensure that the sequence is determined by the letters of the alphabet. For example, when considering two terms, the one that starts with a letter that appears earlier in the alphabet will precede the other in the list.

This principle ensures that alphabetized lists are consistent and understandable. It allows users to easily locate items and maintain orderly arrangements in documents, directories, or databases. It underscores the hierarchy of letters; therefore, an item starting with 'A' will always come before one starting with 'B,' and so on through the alphabet. This systematic approach is essential for clarity and efficiency in data management and retrieval.