if((int)t1 == 0){
                        if((int)t2 == 0){
                            // both zero
                            return 0;
                        }
                        // only the first val is zero
                        return 1;
                    }else if((int)t2 == 0){
                        // only the second val is zero
                        return -1;
                    }else{
                        // no val is zero -> compare them
                        return (int) (t1
                                - t2);
                    }