VMS Help  —  SORT
    The OpenVMS Sort/Merge utility sorts records or merges input
    files. To sort one or more input files, specify the SORT command.
    These files are sorted according to the fields you select and
    one reordered output file is generated. To merge input files that
    have previously been sorted according to the same key fields,
    specify the MERGE command. One output file is generated.

    High-Performance SORT/MERGE Utility:

       On Alpha and I64 systems, you can choose the high-performance
       Sort/Merge utility. It uses the same command line interface.
       Any differences are noted with the appropriate SORT and
       MERGE qualifiers. Use the SORTSHR logical to select the high-
       performance Sort/Merge utility. Define SORTSHR to point to the
       high-performance sort executable in SYS$LIBRARY as follows:

       $ DEFINE SORTSHR SYS$LIBRARY:HYPERSORT.EXE

       To return to SORT/MERGE, deassign SORTSHR. (The SORT/MERGE
       utility is the default if SORTSHR is not defined.)

    For additional information, you can enter one of the following
    topics:

    Command_Qualifiers      Provides a brief description of the
                            qualifiers that can be used with the
                            SORT and MERGE commands.
    Input_File_Qualifier    Provides information about qualifiers
                            that can be used to modify input files
                            (such as /FORMAT).
    Output_File_Qualifiers  Provides information about qualifiers
                            that can be used to modify output files
                            (such as /SEQUENTIAL).

    For a complete information about the Sort/Merge Utility, see the
    OpenVMS Utility Routines Manual and the OpenVMS User's Manual.

    Formats

      SORT  input-file-spec [,...] output-file

      MERGE  input-file-spec [,...] output-file

1  –  Parameters

 input-file-spec [,...]

    Specifies the file or files to be sorted or merged. You can
    specify up to 10 input files. Multiple file specifications must
    be separated by commas. The default input file type is .DAT.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility allows you to specify up to 12 input files.

 output-file

    Specifies the file to be created. You can specify one output
    file only. If you omit a file type in the file specification, the
    command defaults to the file type of the first input file.

2  –  Command Qualifiers

       /CHECK_SEQUENCE
       Verifies the sequence of the records only in Merge input
       files. By default Merge checks the sequence of the records.
       Use only with the MERGE command.

       /COLLATING_SEQUENCE
       Selects one of three predefined collating sequences for
       character key fields, or specifies the name of a National
       character set (NCS) collating sequence to be used in comparing
       character keys. Sort arranges characters in ASCII sequence by
       default; the EBCDIC and Multinational sequences can also be
       used.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility currently supports all collating sequences except NCS.

       /DUPLICATES
       By default, Sort retains multiple records with duplicate keys.
       The /NODUPLICATES qualifier eliminates all but one of multiple
       records with duplicate keys.

       /KEY
       Describes key fields, including the position, size, sorting
       order, and data type.

       /PROCESS
       Defines the internal sorting process. The /PROCESS qualifier
       allows you to choose one of four processes: record, tag,
       address, or index. By default, SORT uses a record sorting
       process. Use only with the SORT command.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility currently supports only the record process.

       /SPECIFICATION
       Identifies a Sort or Merge specification file.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility does not currently support the use of specification
       files.

       /STABLE
       Directs records with equal keys to the output file in their
       input file order. The default condition is /NOSTABLE.

       /STATISTICS
       Displays a statistical summary that can be used for
       optimization.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility supports the display of some statistics, but not all
       of them. See the full description for information.

       /WORK_FILES
       Increases the number of Sort work files by any number from
       1 to 10 inclusively to make each work file smaller. If the
       available disks are too small or too full for work files,
       increasing the number of files can improve the efficiency of
       the sort operation. Use only with the SORT command.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility supports from 1 to 255 work files.

3    /CHECK_SEQUENCE

    Verifies the sequence of the records only in Merge input files.
    By default, Merge checks the sequence of records. Use only with
    the MERGE command.

    Formats

      /CHECK_SEQUENCE

      /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE

3.1  –  Full Description

    The /CHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier is unique to the MERGE command. By
    default, Merge does sequence checking to ensure that the input
    files have been sorted on the same key.

    You can also use the /CHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier to check whether
    the records of one or more files (up to 10) have been sorted.
    (The records will still be directed to an output file, which you
    must specify.) If you are checking whether records are sorted on
    a key field other than the entire record, you must specify key
    information, along with requesting sequence.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility allows you to specify up to 12 files.

3.2  –  Examples

    1.$ MERGE/KEY=(SIZE:4,POSITION:3)/NOCHECK_SEQUENCE  PRICE1.DAT, -
      _$ PRICE2.DAT PRICE.LIS

      The /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier specifies that the sequence
      of the input files, PRICE1.DAT and PRICE2.DAT does need not
      be checked. (Checking is not necessary because the records
      in those files are sorted on the same key and the sequence of
      records is correct.)

    2.$ MERGE/SPECIFICATION=PAYROLL.SRT/CHECK_SEQUENCE -
      _$ MAY3.DAT,MAY10.DAT,MAY17.DAT,MAY24.DAT TOTAL.LIS

      In this example, the specification file, PAYROLL.SRT includes
      the /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier. The /CHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier
      on the MERGE command line is necessary to override the
      /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier in the specification file. The
      sequence of records in the four input files are to be checked.

4    /COLLATING_SEQUENCE

    Selects one of three predefined collating sequences for character
    key fields, or specifies the name of a National character set
    (NCS) collating sequence to be used in comparing character keys.
    Sort arranges characters in ASCII sequence by default; the EBCDIC
    and Multinational sequences can also be used.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility currently supports all collating sequences except NCS.

    Formats

      /COLLATING_SEQUENCE=type

      /COLLATING_SEQUENCE=cs-name

4.1  –  Parameters

 type

    o  ASCII

       Arranges characters according to ASCII sequence. ASCII is the
       default sequence and need not be specified.

    o  EBCDIC

       Arranges characters according to EBCDIC sequence. The
       characters remain in ASCII representation; only the order
       is changed.

    o  Multinational

       Arranges characters according to Multinational sequence, which
       collates the international character set. When you use the
       Multinational sequence, characters are ordered according to
       the following rules:

       -  All diacritical (accented) forms of a character are given
          the collating value of the character (A', A", A` collate as
          A).

       -  Lowercase characters are given the collating value of their
          uppercase equivalents (a collates as A, a" collates as A").

       -  If two strings compare as equal, tie-breaking is performed.
          The strings are compared to detect differences due to
          diacritical marks, ignored characters, or characters that
          collate as equal although they are actually different. If
          the strings still compare as equal, another comparison is
          done based on the numeric codes of the characters. In this
          final comparison, lowercase characters are ordered before
          uppercase.

       Care should be taken when sorting or merging files for further
       processing using the Multinational sequence. Sequence checking
       procedures in most programming languages compare numeric
       characters. Because Multinational is based on actual graphic
       characters and not on the codes representing those characters,
       normal sequence checking does not work.

 cs-name

    Arranges character keys according to the named sequence, which
    must be a collating sequence defined in an NCS library.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility currently supports only the ASCII, EBCDIC, and
    Multinational collating sequences.

4.2  –  Full Description

    By default, Sort/Merge arranges records according to ASCII
    sequence. However, it can also arrange records according to
    EBCDIC and Multinational sequence.

    These three collating sequences can be modified to meet your
    particular needs through the use of a specification file. You can
    also define your own collating sequence by using a specification
    file if one of the three collating sequences does not suit your
    needs.

4.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/COLLATING_SEQUENCE=MULTINATIONAL -
  _$ NAMES.DAT,NOM.DAT LIST.LIS

      This SORT command arranges the input files NAMES.DAT and
      NOM.DAT according to the Multinational collating sequence to
      create the output file LIST.LIS.

5    /DUPLICATES

    By default, Sort retains multiple records with duplicate keys.
    The /NODUPLICATES qualifier eliminates all but one of multiple
    records with duplicate keys.

    Formats

      /DUPLICATES

      /NODUPLICATES

5.1  –  Full Description

    By default, Sort/Merge retains records with equal keys. The
    /NODUPLICATES qualifier eliminates all but one record with equal
    keys. The retained records may not appear in the same order as
    they appeared in the input file. If you want to specify which
    duplicate record to keep, invoke Sort at the program level and
    specify an equal-key routine.

    The /STABLE and the /NODUPLICATES qualifiers are mutually
    exclusive.

5.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POSITION:3,SIZE:5,DECIMAL)/NODUPLICATES -
  _$ ACCT1,ACCT2 ACCT.LIS

      This SORT command arranges the two input files according to
      the key supplied and eliminates all but one of multiple records
      with equal keys.

6    /KEY

    Describes key fields, including the position, size, sorting
    order, and data type. Both the position and size of the key field
    must be specified, except for floating point data types where the
    size is known. By default, Sort reorders a file by sorting entire
    records with character data in ascending order. Any other type of
    key field must be specified. When you specify multiple keys, use
    a separate /KEY qualifier for each key.

    Format

      /KEY=(field [,...])

6.1  –  Fields

 POSITION:n

    Specifies the position of the first byte in the key field. A
    value of 1 to 32,767 may be specified. The first byte in a record
    is considered position 1. The POSITION:n field must be specified.
    (Note that the SIZE:n field must also be specified, except for
    floating point data types where the size is known.)

 SIZE:n

    Specifies the length of the key field. The total composite size
    of all keys and the original input record length must be less
    than 32,767 bytes. If the decimal sign is stored in a separate
    byte in the key field, that byte is not counted toward the size
    of the data.

    Both the POSITION:n and SIZE:n fields must be specified, except
    for floating point data types where the size is known.

    The data type of the key determines what values are acceptable
    when specifying size as well as the units in which the size is
    specified:

    o  1 to 32,767 (characters) for character data

    o  1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 (bytes) for binary data

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility currently supports only 1, 2, 4, and 8-byte binary
       keys.

    o  1 to 31 (digits) for decimal data

    o  No value is necessary for floating point data

 ASCENDING

    Orders the sorting operation in ascending alphabetical or
    numerical order. ASCENDING is the default order.

 DESCENDING

    Orders the sorting operation in descending alphabetical or
    numerical order.

 CHARACTER

    Specifies character data in the key field. CHARACTER is the
    default data type.

 BINARY

    Specifies binary data in the key field.

 SIGNED

    Specifies signed binary or decimal data in key field. SIGNED is
    the default for binary and decimal data.

 UNSIGNED

    Specifies unsigned binary or decimal data in the key field.

 F_FLOATING

    Specifies F_FLOATING format data in the key field.

 D_FLOATING

    Specifies D_FLOATING format data in the key field.

 G_FLOATING

    Specifies G_FLOATING format data in the key field.

 H_FLOATING

    Specifies H_FLOATING format data in the key field.
    High-performance Sort/Merge: Not supported by the high-
    performance Sort/Merge utility.

 S_FLOATING

    On Alpha and I64 systems, specifies IEEE S_FLOATING format data
    in the key field.

 T_FLOATING

    On Alpha and I64 systems, specifies IEEE T_FLOATING format data
    in the key field.

 DECIMAL

    Specifies decimal data in the key field.

 TRAILING_SIGN

    Specifies trailing sign decimal data in the key field. TRAILING_
    SIGN is the default for decimal data.

 LEADING_SIGN

    Specifies leading sign decimal data in the key field. The leading
    sign must be in the first position of the field and the field
    must be left zero padded.

 OVERPUNCHED_SIGN

    Specifies overpunched decimal data in the key field. OVERPUNCHED_
    SIGN is the default for decimal data.

 SEPARATE_SIGN

    Specifies separate sign decimal data in the key field.

 ZONED

    Specifies zoned decimal data in the key field.
    High-performance Sort/Merge: Not supported by the high-
    performance Sort/Merge utility.

 PACKED_DECIMAL

    Specifies packed decimal data in the key field.

 NUMBER:n

    Specifies the order of priority of each key if you do not list
    multiple keys in the order of their priority. A value of 1 to 255
    may be specified.

6.2  –  Full Description

    The /KEY qualifier specifies all the necessary information about
    a key field. If the file is to be sorted using entire records
    with character data in ascending order, you do not need to
    specify the key information.

    When a key field must be described, you must specify both the
    position and the size of the key. In addition, if the sorting
    or merging operation is to be done in descending alphabetic or
    numeric order, specify DESCENDING in the key description.

    If the data in the key fields is not character data, you must
    specify the data type. The following data types are recognized by
    the Sort/Merge utility:

       BINARY, [SIGNED]
       BINARY, UNSIGNED
       CHARACTER
       DECIMAL, LEADING_SIGN, SEPARATE_SIGN [SIGNED]
       DECIMAL, LEADING_SIGN, [OVERPUNCHED_SIGN, SIGNED]
       DECIMAL [,SIGNED, TRAILING_SIGN, OVERPUNCHED_SIGN]
       DECIMAL, [TRAILING SIGN], SEPARATE_SIGN, [SIGNED]
       DECIMAL, UNSIGNED
       D_FLOATING
       F_FLOATING
       G_FLOATING
       H_FLOATING
       PACKED_DECIMAL
       S_FLOATING (Alpha and I64 systems only)
       T_FLOATING (Alpha and I64 systems only)
       ZONED

    The items in brackets are defaults and need not be specified.

    Multiple Keys

    You can specify up to 255 key fields in a sorting operation. If
    you do specify multiple keys, decide which is primary, which is
    secondary, and so on; then, in the command string, list them in
    the order of their priority.

    By default, Sort assigns 1 to the first key specified in the
    command line, 2 to the second key, and so on. If you do not list
    the keys in the order of their priority, specify the order of
    each with the parameter NUMBER:n.

    For each Sort key, you must use a separate /KEY qualifier.
    If Sort finds /KEY parameters repeated after a single /KEY
    qualifier, it does not treat these as specifications for multiple
    keys; instead, the duplicate parameters override previously
    specified parameters.

6.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:16,SIZ:3)/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:11) -
  _$ /KEY=(POS:40,SIZ:2,DESC) YRENDAVG.DAT YRAVGSRT.LIS

      This SORT command identifies three key fields. The input file,
      YRENDAVG, is first sorted by the key beginning in position
      16, then by the key beginning in position 1, and finally by
      the key beginning in position 40. The third key used sorts in
      descending order.

7    /PROCESS

    Defines the internal sorting process. The /PROCESS qualifier
    allows you to choose one of four processes: record, tag, address,
    or index. By default, SORT uses a record sorting process. Use
    only with the SORT command.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility currently supports only the record process.

    Format

      /PROCESS=type

7.1  –  Parameters

 type

    o  RECORD

       Keeps records intact while sorting and produces an output file
       consisting of complete records. Record is the default sorting
       process.

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility currently supports only the record process.

    o  TAG

       Sorts only the keys and then rereads the input file to produce
       an output file consisting of complete records.

    o  ADDRESS

       Sorts only the keys and produces an output file that is an
       index of record addresses in binary format. The index must be
       submitted to a program for further processing.

    o  INDEX

       Creates an output file containing both RFAs and key fields,
       plus a file number when sorting multiple files. The format
       of these key fields is the same as in the input files. If the
       program needs key field content for a decision during future
       processing, select index sort rather than address sort.

7.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:40,SIZ:2,DESC)/PROCESS=TAG YRENDAVG.DAT -
  _$ DESCYRAVG.LIS

      This sort operation uses a tag sorting process to create the
      output file DESCYRAVG.LIS.

8    /SPECIFICATION

    Identifies a Sort or Merge specification file.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility does not currently support the use of specification
    files.

    Format

      /SPECIFICATION=file-spec

8.1  –  Qualifier Value

 file-spec

    Specifies the Sort/Merge specification file. The default file
    type is .SRT.

8.2  –  Full Description

    The /SPECIFICATION qualifier identifies the specification file to
    be used in a sort or merge operation. A specification file allows
    you to do the following:

    o  Change the format and length of the records in the output file

    o  Conditionally alter record order and data fields

    o  Omit specified records from the process

    o  Include specified records in the process

    o  Change the way in which characters are ordered

    o  Reassign work files

    o  Define commonly used sort or merge operations

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility does not currently support the use of specification
    files.

    Specification files may be created by any standard editor or the
    DCL CREATE command. The commands within a specification file are
    formatted differently than those on the DCL command line and some
    have different meanings.

    Each command in the specification file should start with a
    slash(/), and continuation characters are not required if a
    command spans more than one line. Comments can be included in
    a specification file by preceding them with an exclamation point
    (!).

    Many of the qualifiers used in the specification file are similar
    to the DCL qualifiers used in the Sort/Merge command line. Note,
    however, that the format of these qualifiers can be different.
    For example, the /KEY qualifier at DCL level has a different
    format than the /KEY qualifier in the specification file.

8.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/SPECIFICATION=ACCTS.SRT SALES1.DAT,SALES2.DAT MAILING.LIS

      This SORT command arranges the input files according to the
      instructions detailed in the specification file, ACCTS.SRT.

9    /STABLE

    Directs records with equal keys to the output file in their input
    file order. The default condition is /NOSTABLE.

    Formats

      /STABLE

      /NOSTABLE

9.1  –  Full Description

    When the input files contain records with equal keys, those
    records may not maintain the same order that they appeared in
    the input file. Specifying the /STABLE qualifier arranges records
    with equal keys in the order of the input files on output. If you
    use this qualifier when sorting multiple input files, on output,
    records with equal keys in the first file precede those from the
    second file and so on.

    The /STABLE and /NODUPLICATES qualifiers are mutually exclusive.

9.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:5,DECIMAL)/STABLE PRICESA.DAT,PRICESB.DAT, -
  _$ PRICESC.DAT SUMMARY.LIS

      In this sort operation, records with equal keys from
      PRICESA.DAT will be listed first, followed by those from
      PRICESB.DAT, followed by those from PRICESC.DAT.

10    /STATISTICS

    Displays a statistical summary that can be used for optimization.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility suppports only the following statistics: Records read,
    Records sorted, Records output, and Input record length.

    Format

      /STATISTICS

10.1  –  Full Description

    When the /STATISTICS qualifier is used, Sort/Merge displays
    statistics in SYS$OUTPUT. You can use these statistics to
    judge the efficiency of the ordering operation and to determine
    adjustments that can improve its performance. To save these
    statistics in a file, specify the following command:

    $ DEFINE/USER SYS$ERROR output-file

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility displays only the following statistics: Records read,
    Records sorted, Records output, and Input record length.

    The following statistical display results when you use the
    /STATISTICS qualifier:

                  OpenVMS Sort/Merge Statistics

 Records read:        nnn             Input record length:       nnn
 Records sorted:      nnn             Internal length:           nnn
 Records output:      nnn             Output record length:      nnn
 Working set extent:  nnn             Sort tree size:            nnn
 Virtual memory:      nnn             Number of initial runs:    nnn
 Direct I/O:          nnn             Maximum merge order:       nnn
 Buffered I/O:        nnn             Number of merge passes:    nnn
 Page faults:         nnn             Work file allocation:      nnn
 Elapsed time: nn:nn:nn.nn            Elapsed CPU:       nn:nn:nn.nn

    Records read is the number of records read by Sort or Merge.

    Records sorted is the number of records that have been processed
    using Sort. This number could be less than the number of records
    read if a specification file is used to select only certain
    records for the sort or merge operation.

    Records output is the number of records written to the output
    file. This number could be less than the number of records sorted
    if /NODUPLICATES was selected or if I/O errors occurred when the
    output records were being written.

    Working set extent shows the number of pages in the process
    working set extent. This value is used as an upper limit on the
    size of the sort data structure. Adjusting this value is one way
    to improve the efficiency of a sort operation.

    Virtual memory is the number of pages of virtual memory added to
    the Sort image to hold the data.

    The total of the direct I/O and buffered I/O is the number of
    I/O movements needed to read and write data. The lower this total
    value is, the more efficient the ordering operation.

    The number of page faults indicates how well the data fits into
    memory: the higher the number of page faults, the less efficient
    the ordering operation.

    Elapsed time is the total wall clock time used by the sort or
    merge operation in hours, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of
    seconds.

    The input record length value is obtained from the Record
    Management Services (OpenVMS RMS) unless the user supplies it.

    Internal length is the size in bytes of an internal format node.
    This includes any keys, data, a word to store the length, record
    file addresses (RFAs), and converted keys.

    Output record length is the length of the output record. The
    length is computed from the input record length, the sort
    process, and the record reformatting requested.

    Sort tree size is the number of records that fit in sort's
    internal data structure.

    Number of initial runs is one indication of how well the data
    fits into memory.

    The maximum merge order is the maximum number of sorted strings
    that are merged at one time.

    The number of merge passes is the number of times the Sort
    utility merges strings until one sorted output string is
    produced. The number of initial runs and the number of merge
    passes indicate how well the data fits in memory. The higher
    these numbers, the further the working set size is from
    containing the data and the longer the sorting takes.

    Work file allocation is the number of blocks used for the work
    files. When more than one merge pass is needed, this size is
    approximately twice the size of the input file allocation.

    Elapsed CPU is the CPU time used by the ordering operation;
    it does not include time spent waiting for I/O operations to
    complete or time spent waiting while another process executes.

10.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/STATISTICS PRICE1.DAT,PRICE2.DAT PRICE.LIS

      This SORT command results in the following statistical display:

                   OpenVMS Sort/Merge Statistics

 Records read:         793          Input record length:       80
 Records sorted:       793          Internal length:           80
 Records output:       793          Output record length:      80
 Working set extent:   100          Sort tree size:           412
 Virtual memory:       433          Number of initial runs:     2
 Direct I/O:            22          Maximum merge order:        2
 Buffered I/O:           9          Number of merge passes:     1
 Page faults:         3418          Work file allocation:     114
 Elapsed time: 00:00:05.98          Elapsed CPU:      00:00:03.63

      In the sample statistics display, the Sort data structure
      size is limited by the small working set extent. By doubling
      the working set extent you can almost double the Sort data
      structure size, enabling all the records to fit in memory
      without using work files.

11    /WORK_FILES

    Increases the number of Sort work files by any number from 1 to
    10 inclusively to make each work file smaller. If the available
    disks are too small or too full for work files, increasing the
    number of files can improve the efficiency of the sort operation.
    Use only with the SORT command.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility allows you to specify from 1 to 255 work files.

    Format

      /WORK_FILES=n

11.1  –  Qualifier Value

 n

    Specifies the number of work files requested; 1 to 10 files may
    be specified. The default value is 2.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility allows you to specify from 1 to 255 work files. The
    default value is 1.

11.2  –  Full Description

    Sort does not create work files until it needs them. If Sort
    needs work files, it creates them, places them in the SYS$SCRATCH
    directory, and assigns them SORTWORKn logicals. Usually, there
    is no advantage to requesting more than one work file. However,
    if the available disks are too small or too full for Sort work
    files, you can increase the number of work files to make each
    work file smaller.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: You can also enhance performance by
    assigning each work file to a different disk.

11.3  –  Examples

    1.$ ASSIGN DRA5: SORTWORK0
      $ ASSIGN DB0: SORTWORK1
      $ ASSIGN DB1: SORTWORK2
      $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80)/WORK_FILES=3 -
      _$ STATS1,STATS2,STATS3,STATS4 SUMMARY.LIS

      Because the input files in this sort operation are large files,
      specifying three work files improves the efficiency of the sort
      operation.

      Note that you can also assign the work files to a specific
      directory on a device by including the directory name. For
      example, to assign SORTWORK0 to the [WORKSPACE] directory on
      DRA5, enter the following command:

      $ ASSIGN DRA5:[WORKSPACE] SORTWORK0

12  –  Input File Qualifier

    Must be specified immediately after the input file specification
    in the Sort or Merge command line.

12.1    /FORMAT

    Defines input file characteristics; allows you to specify or
    override record or file size.

    You can also use /FORMAT as an output file qualifier; enter HELP
    SORT OUTPUT_FILE_QUALIFIERS/FORMAT at the DCL prompt for more
    information.

    Format

      input-file-spec/FORMAT=(type:n,[...])

12.1.1  –  Qualifier Values

 RECORD_SIZE:n

    Specifies the input file's longest record length (LRL) in bytes.

    The maximum longest record length that can be specified depends
    on the file organization:

    Sequential files          32,767
    Relative files            16,383
    Indexed-sequential files  16,362

    These totals include control bytes for variable records with
    fixed-length control (VFC) format.

 FILE_SIZE:n

    Specifies input file size in blocks. The maximum file size
    accepted is 4,294,967,295 blocks.

12.1.2  –  Full Description

    Sort obtains the file's longest record length (LRL) and file size
    from RMS. If you know the LRL that RMS has defined for the input
    files is incorrect, you can override this value by specifying the
    record size with RECORD_SIZE. For multiple input files, LRL is
    the length of the longest record in all files.

    If you do not know the LRL value for a file, use the ANALYZE/RMS_
    FILE command. The LRL value appears in the file attributes
    section in the statistical report generated for the file that
    you specify.

    Sort uses input file size information to determine the amount
    of memory needed, as well as the size of the work files for the
    sort operation. If the file size is unknown (for example, you
    are sorting files not residing on disk or standard ANSI magnetic
    tape), Sort assumes a fairly large file size.

    If this default is too large, Sort overestimates its memory and
    work file requirements; the sort operation will be more efficient
    if you specify a smaller input file size. If the default is too
    small, Sort underestimates its memory requirements; therefore,
    you should specify a larger input file size, provided the Sort
    data structure size is not limited by the working set extent.

12.1.3  –  Examples

    1.$ SORT/KEY=(POS:40,SIZ:2,DESC) -
      _$CRA0:YRENDAVG.DAT/FORMAT=(RECORD_SIZE:41,FILE_SIZE:3) -
      _$DESCYRAVG.LIS

      Because the input file YRENDAVG.DAT does not reside on a
      disk device or ANSI magnetic tape, file organization must be
      described by the /FORMAT qualifier.

    2.$ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SI:80) STATS.DAT SUMMARY.LIS/FORMAT=FIXED:80

      The input file STATS.DAT consists of variable-length records
      that are 80 bytes in length. The /FORMAT qualifier specifies
      that the output file SUMMARY.LIS consists of fixed-length
      records.

13  –  Output File Qualifiers

    Must be specified immediately after the output file specification
    in the SORT or MERGE command line.

13.1    /ALLOCATION

    Specifies the number of blocks to be preallocated for the output
    file. Used for optimization when you know that the output file
    allocation will differ substantially from the total input
    file allocation (because you are reformatting data or omitting
    records).

    Format

      output-file-spec/ALLOCATION=n

13.1.1  –  Qualifier Value

 n

    Specifies the number of blocks to be allocated. A value of 1 to
    4,294,967,295 is allowed.

13.1.2  –  Full Description

    Sort/Merge preallocates space for the output file based on total
    input file allocation, thereby avoiding the overhead of extending
    the file every time another few blocks are written to it.

    However, if you know that the output file allocation will differ
    substantially from the total input file allocation (because you
    are reformatting data or omitting records), you can specify the
    number of blocks to be preallocated for the output file.

    The /ALLOCATION qualifier is required if the /CONTIGUOUS
    qualifier is used.

13.1.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT -
  _$ SUMMARY.LIS/ALLOCATION=1000/CONTIGUOUS

      This SORT command allocates 1000 contiguous blocks for the
      output file SUMMARY.LIS.

13.2    /BUCKET_SIZE

    Specifies the OpenVMS RMS bucket size (the number of 512-byte
    blocks per bucket) for the output file. Used with relative and
    indexed-sequential output disk files for optimization.

    Format

      output-file-spec/BUCKET_SIZE=n

13.2.1  –  Qualifier Value

 n

    Specifies the bucket size. A value of 1 to 32 is allowed.

13.2.2  –  Full Description

    Use the /BUCKET_SIZE qualifier with relative and indexed-
    sequential output disk files to specify OpenVMS RMS bucket size
    (the number of 512-byte blocks per bucket). If the output file
    organization is the same as for the input files, the default
    value is the same as the first input file bucket size. If output
    file organization is different, the default value is 1. The
    maximum number of blocks per bucket is 32.

13.2.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS1.DAT,STATS2.DAT -
  _$ SUMMARY.LIS/BUCKET_SIZE=16/RELATIVE

      This SORT command results in the output file SUMMARY.LIS that
      has a bucket size of 16 with relative organization.

13.3    /CONTIGUOUS

    Requests that the output file be stored in contiguous disk
    blocks, thereby decreasing access time. Note that you must also
    specify the /ALLOCATION qualifier because if the preallocated
    space is too small, OpenVMS RMS may be unable to extend the file
    contiguously.

    Format

      output-file-spec/CONTIGUOUS

13.3.1  –  Full Description

    By default, Sort/Merge does not allocate contiguous disk blocks
    for the output file. You can request, however, that the output
    file be stored in contiguous disk blocks by specifying the
    /CONTIGUOUS qualifier, thereby decreasing access time. If you use
    the /CONTIGUOUS qualifier, you must also specify the /ALLOCATION
    qualifier because if the preallocated space is too small, OpenVMS
    RMS may be unable to extend the file contiguously.

13.3.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT -
  _$ SUMMARY.LIS/ALLOCATION=1000/CONTIGUOUS

      This SORT command allocates 1,000 contiguous blocks for the
      output file SUMMARY.LIS.

13.4    /FORMAT

    Specifies the output file record format if it differs from the
    input file format.

    Format

      output-file-spec/FORMAT=(type:n ...)

13.4.1  –  Qualifier Values

 BLOCK_SIZE:n

    Specifies the output file's block size, in bytes, if you have
    directed the file to magnetic tape. You can also accept the
    default. If the input file is a tape file, the block size of
    the output file defaults to that of the input file. Otherwise,
    the output file block size defaults to the size used when the
    tape was mounted.

    Acceptable values for block size n range from 20 to 65,532. To
    ensure correct data interchange with other Compaq systems,
    however, specify a block size of not more than 512 bytes. For
    compatibility with systems that are not made by Compaq, the
    block size should not exceed 2,048 bytes.

 CONTROLLED:n

    Specifies variable with fixed-length control (VFC) records in the
    output file.

 n

    Optionally indicates the maximum record size (in bytes) of the
    output records. The maximum record size allowed depends on the
    file organization.

    Sequential files          32,767
    Relative files            16,383
    Indexed-sequential files  16,362

    These totals include control bytes. If you do not specify the
    maximum record size, the default is a length large enough to hold
    the longest output record.

 FIXED:n

    Specifies fixed-length records in the output file.

 SIZE:n

    Specifies the size, in bytes, of the fixed portion of VFC
    (CONTROLLED) records, up to a maximum of 255 bytes. If you do
    not specify SIZE, the default is the size of the fixed portion of
    the first input file. If you specify this size as 0, OpenVMS RMS
    defaults the value to 2 bytes.

 VARIABLE:n

    Specifies variable-length records in the output file.

13.4.2  –  Full Description

    If the sort operation is a record or tag sort, the default output
    record format is the same as the first input file record format.
    If the sort operation is an address or index sort, the default
    output record format is fixed record format. If the input files
    have different record formats, Sort provides an output record
    size that is large enough to contain the largest record in the
    input files.

    When you specify the output record format, you can indicate
    the maximum record size, in bytes, of the output records. You
    can specify fixed-length records, variable-length records, or
    variable with fixed-length control records.

13.4.3  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT SUMMARY.LIS/FORMAT=FIXED:80

      The input file STATS.DAT consists of variable-length records
      that are 80 bytes in length. The /FORMAT qualifier specifies
      that the output file, SUMMARY.LIS, consists of fixed-length
      records.

13.5    /INDEXED_SEQUENTIAL

    Defines the output file organization as indexed sequential. The
    output file must exist and must be empty. Used with the /OVERLAY
    qualifier.

    Format

      output-file-spec/INDEXED_SEQUENTIAL

13.5.1  –  Full Description

    If the organization of the output file is to be different
    from that of the input files, then you must specify the
    new organization. Use the /INDEXED_SEQUENTIAL qualifier to
    define indexed-sequential organization for the output file.
    Additionally, the output file must exist and must be empty, and
    you must use the /OVERLAY qualifier.

13.5.2  –  Example

  $ CREATE/FDL=NEW.FDL AVERAGE.DAT
  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) DATA.DAT,STATS.DAT -
  _$ AVERAGE.DAT/INDEXED_SEQUENTIAL/OVERLAY

      The CREATE/FDL command creates the empty file AVERAGE.DAT. The
      SORT command specifies that the output file have an indexed-
      sequential organization and be written to the empty file
      AVERAGE.DAT.

13.6    /OVERLAY

    Specifies an existing empty file that the output file is to be
    overlaid, or written to. The /OVERLAY qualifier is required when
    you use the /INDEXED_SEQUENTIAL qualifier.

    Format

      output-file-spec/OVERLAY

13.6.1  –  Full Description

    To specify that an empty file is to be overlaid with sorted
    records, use the /OVERLAY qualifier.

    If the input file organization is indexed-sequential, the output
    file must already exist and must be empty. If the output file
    is not empty, /OVERLAY does not write over the file. Instead, it
    appends the result of the sort to the existing output file.

    If the input file organization is sequential or relative, you can
    create an empty file for the sorted records using an OpenVMS RMS
    program and use the /OVERLAY qualifier to specify that the output
    file is to be overlaid.

    You can use the Create/FDL utility to create an empty data
    file; use the /OVERLAY qualifier to specify that Sort is to
    write output to that file. Any attributes that you specify when
    creating the empty file then become attributes of the Sort output
    file.

    See the OpenVMS Record Management Services Reference Manual for
    more information. You can also refer to this manual if you want
    to use the Convert utility to produce an indexed-sequential file
    on output.

13.6.2  –  Example

  $ CREATE/FDL=NEW.FDL AVERAGE.DAT
  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT AVERAGE.DAT/OVERLAY

      The FDL file NEW.FDL specifies special attributes for the
      file AVERAGE.DAT. When Sort writes output to that file, the
      resulting Sort output file has the attributes specified by the
      FDL file.

13.7    /RELATIVE

    Defines the output file organization as relative.

    Format

      output-file-spec/RELATIVE

13.7.1  –  Full Description

    If the organization of the output file is to be different
    from that of the input files, then you must specify the new
    organization. If you do not specify file organization, the
    default for record and tag sorts is the organization of the
    first input file. You must use the /RELATIVE qualifier to specify
    relative output file organization.

13.7.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT SUMMARY.LIS/RELATIVE

      Because the input file STATS.DAT is not a relative file and
      the output file, SUMMARY.LIS, will be, /RELATIVE qualifies the
      output file specification.

13.8    /SEQUENTIAL

    Defines output file organization as sequential. This is the
    default for address and index sorts. (The default for record
    and tag sorts is the organization of the first input file.)

    Format

      output-file-spec/SEQUENTIAL

13.8.1  –  Full Description

    If the organization of the output file is to be different from
    that of the input files, you must specify the new organization.
    If you do not specify file organization, the default for record
    and tag sorts is the organization of the first input file. If you
    do not specify file organization, the default organization for
    address and index sorts is sequential.

    Use the /SEQUENTIAL qualifier when the default is not sequential
    file organization and you want an output file with sequential
    file format.

13.8.2  –  Example

  $ SORT/KEY=(POS:1,SIZ:80) STATS.DAT SUMMARY.LIS/SEQUENTIAL

      Because the input file STATS.DAT is not a sequential file and
      the output file SUMMARY.LIS will be, /SEQUENTIAL qualifies the
      output file specification.

14  –  Specification File Qualifiers

    Qualifiers used in a Sort/Merge specification file are similar
    to the DCL qualifiers used in the SORT or MERGE command line.
    However, in some cases, the format of these qualifiers can be
    different. For example, the /KEY qualifier at DCL level has a
    different format than the /KEY qualifier in the specification
    file.

    If you specify DCL command qualifiers in the SORT or MERGE
    command line, those qualifiers override corresponding entries
    in the specification file.

    High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
    utility does not currently support the use of specification
    files.

14.1  –  Specification File Example

  /FIELD=(NAME=RECORD_TYPE,POS:1,SIZ:1)   ! Records type, one-byte field
  /FIELD=(NAME=PRICE,POS:2,SIZ:8)         ! Price field, both files
  /FIELD=(NAME=TAXES,POS:10,SIZ:5)        ! Taxes field, both files
  /FIELD=(NAME=STYLE_A,POS:15,SIZ:10)     ! Style field, format A file
  /FIELD=(NAME=STYLE_B,POS:20,SIZ:10)     ! Style field, format B file
  /FIELD=(NAME=ZIP_A,POS:25,SIZ:5)        ! Zip code field, format A file
  /FIELD=(NAME=ZIP_B,POS:15,SIZ:5)        ! Zip code field, format B file

  /CONDITION=(NAME=FORMAT_A,              ! Condition test, format A file
              TEST=(RECORD_TYPE EQ "A"))
  /CONDITION=(NAME=FORMAT_B,              ! Condition test, format B file
              TEST=(RECORD_TYPE EQ "B"))

            KEY=ZIP_A,
            DATA=PRICE,
            DATA=TAXES,
            DATA=STYLE_A,
            DATA=ZIP_A)

  /INCLUDE=(CONDITION=FORMAT_B,           ! Output format, type B records
            KEY=ZIP_B,
            DATA=PRICE,
            DATA=TAXES,
            DATA=STYLE_B,
            DATA=ZIP_B)

      In this example, two input files from two different branches of
      a real estate agency are sorted according to the instructions
      specified in a specification file. The records in the first
      file that begin with an A in the first position have this
      format:

        |A|PRICE|TAXES|STYLE|ZIP|
         1 2     10    15    25

      The records in the second file that begin with a B in the first
      position and have the style and zip code fields reversed, as
      follows:

        |B|PRICE|TAXES|ZIP|STYLE|
         1 2     10    15  20

      To sort these two files on the zip code field in the format
      of record A, first define the fields in both records with the
      /FIELD qualifiers. Then, specify a test to distinguish between
      the two types of records with the /CONDITION qualifiers.
      Finally, the /INCLUDE qualifiers change the record format of
      type B to record format of type A on output.

      Note that, if you specify either key or data fields in an
      /INCLUDE qualifier, you must explicitly specify all the key and
      data fields for the sort operation in the /INCLUDE qualifier.

      Also note that records that are not type A or type B are
      omitted from the sort.

14.2    /CDD_PATH_NAME

    Identifies fields and attributes defined for use with the
    Common Data Dictionary (CDD/Plus). Once the fields have been
    identified, they can then be used later with other specification
    file qualifiers, such as /KEY, /CONDITION, /INCLUDE, or /OMIT.

    You can use the /CDD_PATH_NAME qualifier only if your system has
    CDD/Plus installed.

    Format

      /CDD_PATH_NAME="cdd-path-name"

14.2.1  –  Qualifier Values

 "cdd-path-name"

    Specifies the CDD/Plus record definition within CDD/Plus.

14.2.2  –  Full Description

    /CDD_PATH_NAME can be used in place of or in conjunction with
    /FIELD statements. The /CDD_PATH_NAME qualifier identifies
    CDD/Plus defined fields and attributes for SORT. Identifying
    these fields with this qualifier is the same as specifying them
    with the /FIELD qualifier.

14.2.3  –  Example

  /CDD_PATH_NAME="customer"

      The /CDD_PATH_NAME qualifier identifies the customer record,
      which was previously identified in CDD/Plus.

14.3    /CHECK_SEQUENCE

    Specifies whether or not the sequence of records in the input
    files is checked when files are merged. By default the sequence
    of records is not checked. Use only with the MERGE command.

    Formats

      /CHECK_SEQUENCE

      /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE

14.3.1  –  Full Description

    By default, Merge does not check the sequence of records in
    the input files. If you want to override that default, specify
    /CHECK_SEQUENCE in your specification file text.

14.3.2  –  Example

  /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE

      The /NOCHECK_SEQUENCE qualifier overrides Merge's default
      behavior.

14.4    /COLLATING_SEQUENCE

    Specifies the collating instructions for a sort or merge
    operation. With the /COLLATING_SEQUENCE qualifier, you can
    specify ASCII (the default), EBCDIC, or Multinational sequence;
    you can also define your own sequence.

    Formats

      /COLLATING_SEQUENCE=

      (SEQUENCE=sequence_type

      [,MODIFICATION=(character operator character)]

      [,IGNORE=character or character-range,...]

      [,FOLD]

      [,[NO]TIE_BREAK])

14.4.1  –  Qualifier Values

 SEQUENCE=sequence_type

 ASCII

    Specifies ASCII collating sequence, which is the default
    sequence.

 EBCDIC

    Arranges characters according to EBCDIC sequence. The characters
    remain in ASCII representation; only the order is changed.

 MULTINATIONAL

    Arranges characters according to Multinational sequence, which
    collates the international character set. When you use the
    Multinational sequence, characters are ordered according to the
    following rules:

    o  All diacritical forms of a character are given the collating
       value of the character (A',A",A` collate as A).

    o  Lowercase characters are given the collating value of their
       uppercase equivalents (a collates as A, a" collates as A").

    o  If two strings compare as equal, tie-breaking is performed.
       The strings are compared to detect differences due to
       diacritical marks, ignored characters, or characters that
       collate as equal although they are actually different. If the
       strings still compare as equal, another comparison is done
       based on the numeric codes of the characters. In this final
       comparison, lowercase characters are ordered before uppercase.

    Care should be taken when sorting or merging files for further
    processing using the Multinational sequence. Sequence checking
    procedures in most programming languages compare numeric
    characters. Because Multinational is based on actual graphic
    characters and not on the codes representing those characters,
    normal sequence checking does not work.

 user-defined-sequence

    Specifies a user-defined collating sequence. Define a collating
    sequence by specifying a string of single or double characters
    or ranges of single characters. (A double character is any set
    of two single characters collated as if they were one character.
    For example, "CH" can be defined to collate as "C".) This string
    should be enclosed in parentheses.

    You can also represent characters by their corresponding octal,
    decimal, or hexadecimal values using the radix operators: %O, %D,
    %X.

    You must observe the following rules when defining your collating
    sequence:

    o  Enclose characters in quotation marks (" ").

    o  Separate each character and character range with a comma, and
       enclose the entire list in parentheses.

    o  Give all the characters appearing in the character keys in
       the sort or merge operation a collating value. Any character
       not given a collating value will be ignored unless the FOLD or
       MODIFICATION options are specified.

    o  Do not define a character more than once.

    o  Do not specify the null character by using quotation marks
       (""). Instead, use a radix operator such as %X0.

    o  Specify quotation marks by enclosing them within another set
       of quotation marks ("" "") or by using a radix operator.

 MODIFICATION=(character operator character)

    Specifies a change to the collating sequence specified in the
    SEQUENCE option. You can modify the ASCII, EBCDIC, Multinational,
    or user-defined sequence. The sequence being modified must be
    specified with the SEQUENCE qualifier even if the sequence is the
    default (ASCII).

 character

    Specifies a character in the collating sequence. You can specify
    a single or double character. A double character is any set
    of two single characters collated as if they were a single
    character. Enclose the character in quotation marks.

 operator

    Specifies the operator used to compare the characters. You can
    specify greater than (>), less than (<), or equal to (=).

    These are the kinds of changes permitted in the MODIFICATION
    option:

    o  A single or double character can be equated to a single
       character that has already been assigned a collating value
       ("a"="A").

    o  A single or double character can collate after a single
       character that has already been assigned a collating value
       ("CH">"C").

    o  A single or double character can collate before a single
       character that has already been assigned a collating value
       ("D"<"A").

    o  A double character can be equated to a previously defined
       double character ("CH" = "SH").

    o  A single character can be equated to a double character
       sequence ("C" = "CH").

 IGNORE

    Specifies that Sort/Merge ignore a character or character range
    in the collating sequence when making an initial comparison.
    Note that, when tie-breaking takes place, Sort/Merge considers
    the characters specified with the IGNORE qualifier. Tie-breaking
    takes place when two or more strings have compared as equal and
    the Multinational sequence is being used or when two or more
    strings have compared as equal and the TIE_BREAK qualifier has
    been specified.

 FOLD

    Specifies that all lowercase letters be given the collating value
    of their uppercase equivalents. For ASCII, EBCDIC, and user-
    defined sequences, the lowercase letters are a to z.

    Because the lowercase letters in the Multinational sequence
    already have the collating value of their uppercase equivalents,
    using FOLD is unnecessary.

 TIE_BREAK

    Specifies whether or not Sort/Merge should use numeric values to
    break any ties between characters that have equivalent values.
    By default, tie-breaking occurs with the Multinational sequence.
    Specifying NOTIE_BREAK overrides this default and ensures that no
    further comparisons are made after the initial comparison.

    A TIE_BREAK option must be specified for the ASCII, EBCDIC, and
    user-defined sequences in order for tie-breaking to occur. TIE_
    BREAK should be used when specifying FOLD or MODIFICATION for the
    these sequences.

14.4.2  –  Full Description

    The MODIFICATION, IGNORE, FOLD, and [NO]TIE_BREAK options of
    the /COLLATING_SEQUENCE qualifier can also be used to modify the
    collating sequence. You can make more than one modification to
    the collating sequence. If you intend to modify any collating
    sequence, you must specify the sequence in the SEQUENCE option,
    even if it is the default sequence (ASCII).

    Because the FOLD, MODIFICATION, and IGNORE qualifiers are
    processed in the order in which they are specified, care should
    be taken when specifying the order of those qualifiers. Normally,
    FOLD should be specified after all MODIFICATION and IGNORE
    qualifiers to ensure that the effects of the MODIFICATION and
    IGNORE qualifiers apply to uppercase and lowercase characters.

    You can request that Sort/Merge ignore a character or character
    range within the given collating sequence by using the IGNORE
    qualifier.

    By default, in the Multinational collating sequence, Sort/Merge
    folds lowercase letters into their uppercase equivalents. If
    you want this folding to occur in the other collating sequences,
    you must specify a FOLD qualifier with the instructions for the
    collating sequence.

    Also, by default in the Multinational collating sequence,
    Sort/Merge uses numeric comparisons to break any ties in the
    collating values. Ties occur when two equal keys collate the
    same. If you do not want the default when using the Multinational
    collating sequence, specify the keyword NOTIE_BREAK. For tie
    breaking in the other collating sequences, specify a TIE_BREAK
    qualifier.

14.4.3  –  Examples

    1./COLLATING_SEQUENCE=(SEQUENCE=ASCII,IGNORE=("-"," "))

      This /COLLATING_SEQUENCE qualifier with an IGNORE option
      specified results in the following fields being compared as
      equal before tie breaking:

         252-3412
         252 3412
         2523412

    2./COLLATING_SEQUENCE=(SEQUENCE=("A"-"L","LL","M"-"R","RR","S"-"Z"))

      This /COLLATING_SEQUENCE qualifier defines a sequence in
      which the double character LL collates as a single character
      between L and M, and the double character RR collates as a
      single character between R and S. These double characters
      would otherwise appear in their usual alphabetical order. By
      default, this user-defined sequence does not define any other
      characters, such as lowercase a to z.

    3./COLLATING_SEQUENCE=(SEQUENCE=
               ("AN","EB","AR","PR","AY","UN","UL",
                "UG","EP","CT","OV","EC","0"-"9"),
                MODIFICATION=("'"="19"),
                FOLD)

      This /COLLATING_SEQUENCE qualifier defines a collating
      sequence. It includes a user-defined sequence that gives each
      month a unique value in chronological order. For example, if
      you want to order a file called SEMINAR.DAT according to the
      date, the file SEMINAR.DAT would be set up as follows:

        16 NOV 1983   Communication Skills
        05 APR 1984   Coping with Alcoholism
        11 Jan '84    How to Be Assertive
        12 OCT 1983   Improving Productivity
        15 MAR 1984   Living with Your Teenager
        08 FEB 1984   Single Parenting
        07 Dec '83    Stress --- Causes and Cures
        14 SEP 1983   Time Management

      The primary key is the year field; the secondary key is the
      month field. Because the month field is not numeric and you
      want the months ordered chronologically, you must define
      your own collating sequence. You can do this by sorting on
      the second two letters of each month-in their chronological
      sequence-giving each month a unique key value.

      The MODIFICATION option specifies that the apostrophe (') be
      equated to 19, thereby allowing a comparison of '83 and 1984.
      The FOLD option specifies that uppercase and lowercase letters
      are treated as equal.

      The output from this sort operation appears as follows:

        14 SEP 1983   Time Management
        12 OCT 1983   Improving Productivity
        16 NOV 1983   Communication Skills
        07 Dec '83    Stress --- Causes and Cures
        11 Jan '84    How to Be Assertive
        08 FEB 1984   Single Parenting
        15 MAR 1984   Living with Your Teenager
        05 APR 1984   Coping with Alcoholism

14.5    /CONDITION

    Defines conditions for key and data handling and for record
    selection.

    Formats

      /CONDITION=  (NAME=condition-name,

      TEST=(field-name operator test-condition

      [logical-operator ...]))

14.5.1  –  Qualifier Values

 NAME=condition-name

    Specifies the name of the condition you are testing. This
    condition-name can be used in /KEY, /DATA, /OMIT, and /INCLUDE
    qualifiers after it has been defined using the /CONDITION
    qualifier.

 TEST=(field-name operator test-condition)

    Specifies the conditional test.

 field-name

    Specifies the name of the field you are testing. The field-name
    must be defined previously by a /FIELD qualifier.

 operator

    Specifies the logical or relational operator used in the
    conditional test. The logical operators that you can use are
    AND and OR. The relational operators that you can specify are as
    follows:

    EQ       Equal to
    NE       Not equal to
    GT       Greater than
    GE       Greater than or equal to
    LT       Less than
    LE       Less than or equal to

 test-condition

    Specifies the constant or field-name against which you are
    testing. A constant is specified with the following format:

       Decimal_digits (default)
       %Ddecimal_digits
       %Ooctal_digits
       %Xhexadecimal_digits
       "character"

                                   NOTE

       Normally, you do not need to specify the radix operator
       (%D); however, test-condition will assume the same data type
       as the field-name.

    The field-name must be defined by a /FIELD qualifier.

14.5.2  –  Full Description

    A specification file can be used to change the relative order of
    a record or to alter the contents of certain fields of a record.
    You must first use a /CONDITION qualifier to define a conditional
    test. Once you define a test using a /CONDITIONAL qualifier, you
    can use that same test with a /KEY or /DATA qualifier to change
    the order of record. You can also use the test with an /OMIT or
    /INCLUDE qualifier to change the contents of a record.

    If you want to change the order of records in the output file,
    first specify a condition name with a /CONDITION qualifier and
    set up a test for what meets that condition. Then, specify the
    relative order with a /KEY qualifier of the form:

    /KEY=(IF condition-name THEN value ELSE value)

    You can use any values to specify the relative order of the
    records.

    The /CONDITION qualifier also permits you to change the contents
    of a field in the output records. First specify a condition name,
    and then set up a test for what meets the condition. Specify the
    contents you want in the field in a /DATA qualifier of the form:

    /DATA=(IF condition-name THEN "new-contents" ELSE "new-contents")

14.5.3  –  Examples

    1./FIELD=(NAME=AGENT,POSITION:20,SIZE:15)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=AGENCY,
                  TEST=(AGENT EQ "Real-T Trust"
                  OR
                  AGENT EQ "Realty Trust"))
         /DATA=(IF AGENCY THEN "Realty Trust" ELSE AGENT)

      In this example, two real estate files are being sorted. One
      file refers to an agency as Real-T Trust; the other refers
      to the same agency as Realty Trust. The /CONDITION and /DATA
      qualifiers instruct Sort to list the AGENT field in the sorted
      output file as Realty Trust.

    2./FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:60,SIZE:6)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=LOCATION,
                  TEST=(ZIP EQ "01863"))
      /KEY=(IF LOCATION THEN 1
            ELSE 2)

      In this example, all the records with a zip code of 01863
      will appear at the beginning of the sorted output file. The
      conditional test is on the ZIP field, defined with the /FIELD
      qualifier; the condition is named LOCATION. The values 1 and
      2 in this /KEY qualifier signify a relative order for those
      records that satisfy the condition and those that do not.

    3./FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:60,SIZE:6)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=LOCATION,
                  TEST=(ZIP EQ "01863"))
      /DATA=(IF LOCATION THEN "NORTH CHELMSFORD"
             ELSE "Outside district")

      In this example, the /CONDITION qualifier tests for the 01863
      zip code. The /DATA qualifier specifies that the name of town
      field will be added to the output record, depending on the test
      results.

    4./FIELD=(NAME=FFLOAT,POS:1,SIZ:0,F_FLOATING)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=CFFLOAT,TEST=(FFLOAT GE 100))
      /OMIT=(CONDITION=CFFLOAT)

      In this example, the number 100 is considered to be an
      F_FLOATING data type because field FFLOAT is defined as
      F_FLOATING in the /FIELD qualifier.

14.6    /DATA

    Specifies the fields of a record to be directed to the output
    file.

    Formats

      /DATA=  field-name

      /DATA=  (IF condition-name THEN "new-contents" ELSE

              "new-contents")

14.6.1  –  Qualifier Values

 field-name

    Specifies the name of a field in a record. The field-name must be
    defined previously in a /FIELD qualifier.

 condition-name

    Specifies a condition-name that has been defined previously in a
    /CONDITION qualifier.

 new-contents

    Specifies how the record is to be altered. The new-contents can
    be a constant or a field-name that has been defined in a /FIELD
    qualifier.

14.6.2  –  Full Description

    A /DATA qualifier must identify every field in the records you
    are directing to the output file. Specify the data fields in the
    order you want them to appear in the output record. By default,
    the record format for an output file is the same as that for
    the input file. If you want to eliminate or reorder fields from
    the output record, you can use the /DATA qualifier, causing only
    those fields identified by the /DATA qualifier to be directed to
    the output file.

    You can conditionally change the contents of a field in the
    output records by first specifying a condition name and then
    setting up a test for what meets the condition in a /CONDITION
    qualifier. You then specify the contents you want in the field in
    a /DATA qualifier of the form:

    /DATA=(IF condition-name THEN "new-contents" ELSE "new-contents")

14.6.3  –  Examples

    1./FIELD=(NAME=AGENT,POSITION:1,SIZE:5)
      /FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:6,SIZE:3)
      /FIELD=(NAME=STYLE,POSITION:10,SIZE:5)
      /FIELD=(NAME=CONDITION,POSITION:16,SIZE:9)
      /FIELD=(NAME=PRICE,POSITION:26,SIZE:5)
      /FIELD=(NAME=TAXES,POSITION:32,SIZE:5)
      /DATA=PRICE
      /DATA="  "
      /DATA=TAXES
      /DATA="  "
      /DATA=STYLE
      /DATA="  "
      /DATA=ZIP
      /DATA="  "
      /DATA=AGENT

      The /FIELD qualifiers define the fields in the records from an
      input file that has the following format:

        AGENT ZIP STYLE CONDITION PRICE TAXES

      The /DATA qualifiers, which use the field-names defined in
      the /FIELD qualifiers, reformat the records to create output
      records of the following format:

        PRICE TAXES STYLE ZIP AGENT

    2./FIELD=(NAME=AGENT,POSITION:20,SIZE:15)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=AGENCY,
                  TEST=(AGENT EQ "Real-T Trust"
                  OR
                  AGENT EQ "Realty Trust"))
         /DATA=(IF AGENCY THEN "Realty Trust" ELSE AGENT)

      In this example, two real estate files are being sorted. One
      file refers to an agency as Real-T Trust; the other refers
      to the same agency as Realty Trust. The /CONDITION and /DATA
      qualifiers instruct Sort to list the AGENT field in the sorted
      output file as Realty Trust.

14.7    /FIELD

    Specification File Qualifier

    Defines the input record fields to be used for a sort or merge
    operation or in a conditional evaluation, or whose order or
    format will change in the output record. You identify each field
    by specifying a name, its position and size in the record, and
    its data type.

    You can also use /FIELD to define a constant and assign it a
    value of any valid sort/merge data-type for use in /KEY, /DATA,
    and /CONDITION statements.

    Formats

      /FIELD=(NAME=field-name,POSITION:n,)

      SIZE:n,[DIGITS:n,]data-type

      /FIELD=(NAME=field-name,VALUE:n,)

      SIZE:n,[DIGITS:n,]data-type

14.7.1  –  Qualifier Values

 NAME=field-name

    Specifies the name of the field. The field-name cannot have any
    embedded spaces, must begin with an alphabetic character, and can
    be no longer than 31 characters.

 POSITION:n

    Specifies the position of the field in the record.

 VALUE:n

    Assigns a value to a constant field for use in a /KEY, /DATA,
    or /CONDITION statement. If you specify VALUE:n, do not specify
    /POSITION:n, because the field is a constant and not part of an
    input record.

 SIZE:n

    Specifies the size of a field containing character or binary
    data. In the specification file, SIZE implies byte lengths. The
    data type determines what values are acceptable, as well as the
    units in which the size is specified:

    o  For character data, the size must not exceed 32,767
       (characters).

    o  For binary data, the size specified must be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16
       (bytes).

       High-performance Sort/Merge: The high-performance Sort/Merge
       utility currently supports only 1, 2, 4, and 8-byte binary
       keys.

    o  For floating-point data, no size is specified.

 DIGITS:n

    Specifies the size of a field containing decimal data. The size
    of a field containing decimal data is specified in digits. The
    size must not exceed 31 digits. Note that DIGITS:n is used only
    when describing a field containing decimal data.

 data-type

    Specifies the data type of the field. You are not required to
    specify the data-type if it is character; Sort assumes character
    data type by default. The following data types are recognized by
    OpenVMS Sort/Merge:

       CHARACTER
       BINARY[,SIGNED]
       BINARY,UNSIGNED
       D_FLOATING
       DECIMAL,LEADING_SIGN,[OVERPUNCHED_SIGN,SIGNED]
       DECIMAL,LEADING_SIGN,SEPARATE_SIGN[,SIGNED]
       DECIMAL[,SIGNED,TRAILING_SIGN,OVERPUNCHED_SIGN]
       DECIMAL,[TRAILING_SIGN],SEPARATE_SIGN[,SIGNED]
       DECIMAL,UNSIGNED
       F_FLOATING
       G_FLOATING
       H_FLOATING
       PACKED_DECIMAL
       S_FLOATING, IEEE (Alpha and I64 systems only)
       T_FLOATING, IEEE (Alpha and I64 systems only)
       PACKED_DECIMAL
       ZONED

14.7.2  –  Full Description

    Use the /FIELD qualifier to define input record fields to be used
    for a sort or merge operation or in a conditional evaluation, or
    whose order or format will change in the output record.

    Identify each field by specifying a name in the /FIELD qualifier,
    a constant value or the field position, and the size and data
    type of the field. Field names must be unique; no duplicate
    field names are allowed. You cannot use more than 255 key field
    definitions.

    Once the field-name has been specified in the /FIELD qualifier,
    it can be used in the /CONDITION, /KEY, and /DATA qualifiers.

14.7.3  –  Example

  /FIELD=(NAME=SALARY,POSITION:10,DIGITS:8,DECIMAL)

      This /FIELD qualifier identifies a field in a record by the
      name SALARY, specifies that it starts in position 10 of the
      record, is 8 digits long, and consists of decimal data.

14.8    /INCLUDE

    Specification File Qualifier

    Specifies record selection as well as multiple record formats.

    Formats

      /INCLUDE=(CONDITION=condition-name)

      [,KEY=...][,DATA=...]

14.8.1  –  Qualifier Values

 CONDITION=condition-name

    Refers to the condition-name specified in a previous /CONDITION
    qualifier.

 KEY=...

    Defines a key field because the default record type defined in
    the /KEY qualifier is not being used.

 DATA=...

    Defines a data field because the default record type defined in
    the /DATA qualifier is not being used.

14.8.2  –  Full Description

    You can specify that records are to be conditionally included
    in an output file. After defining a condition in a /CONDITION
    qualifier, specify record selection in an /INCLUDE qualifier
    requesting that records satisfying the condition are to be
    included in the output file.

    You can specify multiple /INCLUDE and /OMIT qualifiers in
    a specification file. The order in which you specify them
    determines the order the input records are tested for inclusion.
    After the last /INCLUDE qualifier, all records that have not
    already been included or explicitly omitted are omitted.

    You can unconditionally include any records not previously
    omitted or included by specifying /INCLUDE without a condition.

    When sorting multiple record formats, one /INCLUDE qualifier
    should be specified for each different record format among the
    records to be sorted. If you do not specify a KEY option within
    the INCLUDE qualifier, Sort assumes the default key definitions.
    If the KEY is specified in the /INCLUDE qualifier, the default
    key definitions are not used. The order of the KEY fields in the
    /INCLUDE qualifier determines how the internal key is built for
    sorting. The order of the DATA fields in the /INCLUDE qualifier
    determines the way the output record is formatted. If you specify
    a key or data field in an /INCLUDE qualifier, you must define all
    other key or data fields in the record.

14.8.3  –  Example

  /FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:20,SIZE:6)
  /CONDITION=(NAME=LOCATION,
              TEST=(ZIP EQ "01863"))
  /INCLUDE=(CONDITION=LOCATION)

      These /CONDITION and /INCLUDE qualifiers specify that records
      with the zip code 01863 will be included in the output file.

14.9    /KEY

    Specification File Qualifier

    Identifies key field names, specifies sorting order, and changes
    the order of records in the output file.

    Formats

      /KEY=field-name

      /KEY=(field-name,order)

      /KEY=([IF condition-name THEN value ELSE]...value [,order])

14.9.1  –  Qualifier Values

 field-name

    Specifies the name of the key field. The field-name has been
    previously specified in a /FIELD qualifier.

 order

    Specifies the order of the sort. The ASCENDING option specifies
    ascending order for a sort or merge operation. This option is the
    default. The DESCENDING option specifies descending order for a
    sort or merge operation.

 value

    Specifies the key. The value can be a constant or a field-name
    that has been defined in a /FIELD qualifier.

14.9.2  –  Full Description

    If you are sorting on the entire record using character data, you
    do not need to specify your key field. Otherwise, specify a /KEY
    qualifier for each of the keys, in the order of their priority.
    You can sort on as many as 255 key fields.

    There are three ways to use the /KEY qualifier:

    o  To identify the key field name.

    o  To identify the key field name and to specify sorting order.
       In this case, enclose the field name and the order option in
       parentheses.

    o  As a conditional qualifier, to change the order of records
       in the output file. First, specify a condition name in a
       /CONDITION qualifier, and set up a test for what meets
       that condition. Then, specify the relative order in a /KEY
       qualifier of the form:

       /KEY=(IF condition-name THEN value ELSE value)

       You can use any values to specify the relative order of the
       records.

14.9.3  –  Examples

    1./FIELD=(NAME=SALARY,POSITION:10,DIGITS:8,DECIMAL)
      /KEY=(SALARY,DESCENDING)

      This /KEY qualifier specifies that the key field is SALARY and
      that the sorting order is descending.

    2./FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:20,SIZE:6)
      /CONDITION=(NAME=LOCATION,
                  TEST=(ZIP EQ "01863"))
      /KEY=(IF LOCATION THEN 1
            ELSE 2)

      In this example, all the records with the zip code 01863 are
      to appear at the beginning of the sorted output file. The
      conditional test LOCATION (defined in a /CONDITION qualifier)
      is on the ZIP field (named in a /FIELD clause). The values of
      1 and 2 in this /KEY clause signify a relative order for those
      records that satisfy the condition and those that do not.

14.10    /OMIT

    Specifies that records are to be omitted from the output file
    based on a condition defined with a /CONDITION qualifier.

    Format

      /OMIT=(CONDITION=condition-name)

14.10.1  –  Qualifier Value

 CONDITION=condition-name

    Refers to the condition-name previously specified in a /CONDITION
    qualifier.

14.10.2  –  Full Description

    You can specify that records are to be omitted from the output
    file by using the /OMIT qualifier. First, you must define a
    condition with the /CONDITION qualifier. Specify your record
    selection with an /OMIT qualifier requesting the records
    satisfying that condition be selected for omission from your
    sort. By default, Sort/Merge includes all the other input records
    in the output file.

    You can specify multiple /OMIT and /INCLUDE qualifiers in your
    specification file. The order you specify them determines the
    order the input records are tested for omission. All the records
    that have not already been included or omitted after the last
    /OMIT qualifier are included. You can unconditionally omit any
    records not previously omitted or included by specifying the
    /OMIT qualifier only.

14.10.3  –  Example

  /FIELD=(NAME=ZIP,POSITION:20,SIZE:6)
  /CONDITION=(NAME=LOCATION,
              TEST=(ZIP EQ "01863"))
  /OMIT=(CONDITION=LOCATION)

      These /CONDITION and /OMIT qualifiers specify that records with
      the zip code 01863 are to be omitted from your output file.

14.11    /PAD

    Allows you to specify a pad character to use when reformatting
    records or when comparing strings of unequal length.

    Format

      /PAD=single-character

14.11.1  –  Qualifier Value

 single-character

    Specifies the character that the Sort utiltiy will use to pad a
    string. Characters, decimal, octal, or hexadecimal digits can be
    used. The pad character should be specified as follows:

    o  Use quotation marks for a character. For example, " # " would
       specify the number sign.

    o  Use decimal radix for decimal digits. For example, %D35 would
       specify the decimal number 35.

    o  Use octal radix for octal digits. For example, %O043 would
       specify the octal number 043.

    o  Use hexadecimal radix for hexadecimal digits. For example,
       %X23 would specify the hexadecimal number 23.

14.11.2  –  Full Description

    Use the /PAD qualifier to specify a pad character when comparing
    strings of unequal length or when reformatting records. By
    default, Sort uses the null character for padding, ensuring
    conformity with the previous versions. Double characters that
    can be defined as single characters ("ch" > "c") cannot be used
    as pad characters.

14.11.3  –  Example

  /PAD="."

      This example of a /PAD qualifier specifies that records will be
      padded with periods.

14.12    /PROCESS

    Defines the processing method (record, tag, address, or index)
    for the sorting operation. Use only with the SORT command.

    Format

      /PROCESS=type

14.12.1  –  Qualifier Values

 RECORD

    Specifies the record sort. This sort process is the default.

 TAG

    Specifies the tag sort.

 ADDRESS

    Specifies the address sort.

 INDEX

    Specifies the index sort.

14.12.2  –  Full Description

    By default, Sort uses a record sorting process. You can also
    specify a tag, address, or index sorting process. If you intend
    to reformat the output records, you cannot use address or index
    sort. For a comparison of the four processes, see the description
    of /PROCESS in the Command Qualifiers Section. Use the /PROCESS
    qualifier with the SORT command only.

14.12.3  –  Example

  /PROCESS=tag

      This example of the /PROCESS qualifier specifies that Sort use
      a tag sorting process.

14.13    /STABLE

    Specifies that records with equal keys are directed to the
    output file in their input file order. The default condition
    is /NOSTABLE.

    Formats

      /STABLE

      /NOSTABLE

14.13.1  –  Full Description

    By default, when records are sorted with identical keys, the
    order of those records in the output file may not be the same as
    they appeared in the input file. Specifying the /STABLE qualifier
    in a specification file arranges records with equal keys in the
    output file in the order of the input files as specified in the
    command line. If you use this qualifier when sorting multiple
    input files, on output, records with equal keys in the first file
    will precede those from the second file and so on.

14.13.2  –  Example

  /STABLE

      This example of the /STABLE qualifier ensures that records with
      equal keys will have the same order in the input and output
      files.

14.14    /WORK_FILES

    Reassigns work files to different disk-structured devices to
    improve performance. Use only with the SORT command.

    Format

      /WORK_FILES=(device[,...])

14.14.1  –  Qualifier Value

 device

    Specifies a logical name for the work file. Unlike the DCL
    qualifier /WORK_FILES=n, the specification file qualifier /WORK_
    FILES=(device[,...]) specifies work file assignments, not the
    number of work files.

14.14.2  –  Full Description

    You can improve the performance of Sort by placing work files
    on different disk-structured devices. Using the /WORK_FILES
    qualifier in a specification file to reassign work files makes
    it unnecessary to make logical assignments prior to invoking Sort
    at the command or program level.

14.14.3  –  Example

  /WORK_FILES=("WRKD$:")

      This example of a /WORK_FILES qualifier assigns one of Sort's
      work files to the device WRKD$: because that device has the
      most space available.
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