Why not both?

[MSpagni]

I needed to compare a couple of directories (& subdirs) sorting the files in chronological order.
I was disappointed discovering that the option "both directories" does not allow sorting by time.
Why not?

[psguru]

"Both directories" sorting can only be used to sort by columns that match for the files in both panes. For other columns such cross-pane sorting is not possible. Take "Size": sizes may be different for same file name in both panes, so there's no way to sort "Both" using file sizes.

[MSpagni]

I see your point and I agree.
Indeed I badly expressed mine.

Let's put it that way: sorting by "time", you have the files present in the main pane sorted by time and, in the secondary pane, all the "added" files in a block at the end.
Why not to put them in the position they owe due to "time" sorting?

[psguru]

So what how you invoke/name this mode? Is it the main single-pane mode, and then invoked by clicking on a column? Or is it the "Both" mode implemented this way for time, size etc?

[MSpagni]

Good question.
Maybe the most natural way is to slightly stretch the definition and put it as a "both" mode as I did in my first mail.
Or perhaps this could simply be the standard mode. Do you see any problem for that? Someone needs the current mode?

By the way: since as you know I use the "both" (path) mode very often, I'd like to have a shortcut to set it quickly.
Does it already exists? I don't think so, and the help does not digs in these details.
What do you think about a "shift + click" on a column?

[psguru]

Maybe the most natural way is to slightly stretch the definition and put it as a "both" mode as I did in my first mail.

I think this is the better option.

Does it already exists?

No.

What do you think about a "shift + click" on a column?

This looks like a good approach, now that we will handle all columns in the "Both" mode.