public void sortByChipIdentifier()
    {   
        /* iterator1(i):  iterate over hpArray starting at index 0 */
        for(int i = 0; i < hpCount - 1; i++)
        {
            int min = i;
            
             /* dont do anything if theres not at least 2 elements in hpArray */
             if(hpCount >= 2)
             {
                 /* iterator2(k):  iterate over hpArray starting at index 1 */
                 for(int k = i + 1; k < hpCount; k++)
                 {
                     /* if chipId of HousePet at hpArray[i] is larger than that of
                      * HousePet at hpArray[i+1], change value of min from i to k */
                     if((hpList[k].compareTo(hpList[i])) < 0)
                     {
                         min = k;
                                                 
                     }//end IF
                                       
                 }//end FOR(k)
                 
                 /* swap the positions of the two HousePets within the array, by
                  * using a temp "middleman" to preserve the value of hpArray[i] for
                  * the duration of the swap */
                 HousePet temp = hpList[i];
                 hpList[i] = hpList[min];
                 hpList[min] = temp;
                
             }//end IF(hpCount >= 2)
            
        }//end FOR(i)
        
    }//end sortByChipIdentifier()