/**
 * Compares two values or arrays for sorting purposes.
 * Returns a negative number if a < b, positive if a > b, and 0 if equal.
 *
 * @template T - The type of elements being compared (string or number).
 * @param a - The first value or array to compare.
 * @param b - The second value or array to compare.
 * @returns A number indicating the sort order.
 * @example
 * ```typescript
 * compare(1, 2) // Returns -1
 * compare('b', 'a') // Returns 1
 * compare([1, 2], [1, 3]) // Returns -1
 * ```
 */
export declare const compare: <T extends string | number>(a: T | T[], b: T | T[]) => number;
/**
 * Compares two arrays element by element for sorting purposes.
 * Comparison stops at the first non-equal element.
 *
 * @template T - The type of elements in the arrays (string or number).
 * @param a - The first array to compare.
 * @param b - The second array to compare.
 * @returns A number indicating the sort order based on the first differing element.
 * @example
 * ```typescript
 * compareArray([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 4]) // Returns -1
 * compareArray(['a', 'b'], ['a', 'a']) // Returns 1
 * ```
 */
export declare const compareArray: <T extends string | number>(a: T[], b: T[]) => number;