Get a list- from the datasource filtered according to a spec

Hi

I would like to know how I can retrieve a list- from the datasource in a way that it'll be in a specific order, that I decide- according to a specific field.

for example according to the date.

I want to get all the items in the datasource, but I want them to be displayed in such a way that the first item will be the one with the earliest date, and the last one with the last date.

Thanks a lot,

Shira