Here's a breakdown:
Alphabetical order (by author's last name): This is the most common style, and it's used by many academic journals and institutions. It makes finding specific references easy, as all references by the same author are grouped together.
Chronological order (by publication date): This style is less common but sometimes used in certain fields, like history or literature, where the order of publication is significant.
Order of appearance in the text: This style is used in some situations where the order of references directly reflects the flow of the text.
Other styles: There are also specific style guides, like APA, MLA, and Chicago, each with its own specific rules for formatting bibliographies.
So, to answer your question directly:
* It is not a universal rule to list references in a bibliography by date.
* You should follow the specific style guide or instructions provided for your particular work.
If you are unsure about the required format for your bibliography, it's always best to check with your instructor, editor, or publisher.