private void sort(){
      //(sort flags)
      if(!channelsSorted && channels.length > 1){
        Arrays.sort(channels, new Comparator<Object>() {
          public int compare(Object a, Object b) {
            if (a == FORCE) {
              return -1;
            } else if (b == FORCE) {
              return 1;
            } else if (a instanceof Flag && !(b instanceof Flag)) {
              return -1;
            } else if (b instanceof Flag && !(a instanceof Flag)) {
              return 1;
            } else {
              return a.toString().compareTo(b.toString());
            }
          }
        });
      }
    }