def is_earlier_than( nameop1, block_id, vtxindex ):
    """
    Does nameop1 come before bock_id and vtxindex?
    """
    return nameop1['block_number'] < block_id or (nameop1['block_number'] == block_id and nameop1['vtxindex'] < vtxindex)
Does nameop1 come before bock_id and vtxindex?