MPE/iX System Utilities Reference Manual (32650-90908)

Chapter 23

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23 SORT-MERGE/XL

SORT-MERGE/XL allows you to sort files by single or multiple key fields and to merge two or more sorted files

into a single new sorted file.

You may use SORT-MERGE/XL as a standalone utility (either interactively or in batch mode), or from within a

program. For information on how to use SORT-MERGE/XL programmatically, refer to the SORT-MERGE/XL

Programmer’s Guide.

Operation

Using SORT

To invoke the sort portion of SORT-MERGE/XL enter:

SORT

RUN SORT.PUB.SYS

SORT-MERGE/XL responds with a message similar to this:

HP31900A.01.01 SORT/V TUE, JAN 2, 1990, 2:58 PM

It then presents a > prompt. At this prompt you must specify an INPUT file, an OUTPUT file and sort KEY(s). For

example:

> INPUT INFILE

> OUTPUT OUTFILE

> KEY 1,10

> KEY 11,6

> END

You may enter the parameters in any order. However, you must specify the keywords OUTPUT, INPUT and

KEY. You must use valid MPE/iX file names. If you qualify both files with group and account names, you must

have read access to the INPUT file and write access to the group and account for the OUTPUT file.

This example contains two keys, the first, beginning in byte one, which is 10 bytes long and the second,

beginning in byte 11, which is six bytes long. The first key entered is the primary key. Each successive key

entered is secondary to the key entered before it.

The word END indicates you are finished entering parameters and signals SORT-MERGE/XL to begin processing.

After sorting your file SORT-MERGE/XL produces a statistical display and then terminates.

If you want to terminate SORT-MERGE/XL without processing do not enter END. Instead enter:

> EXIT

You may access the sorted OUTPUT file just as you would any other MPE/iX file.

Using MERGE

To invoke the MERGE portion of SORT-MERGE/XL enter: