COBOL Manual for TNS/E Programs (H06.08+, J06.03+)

specifies one or more files (a maximum of 31) where the sorted records are to be written.
outfile
is a file description name. During execution of the SORT statement, outfile must be
closed and cannot be locked.
Usage Considerations:
• Using the Features of FastSort
Three utility routines that enable you to control the features of FastSort (such as multi-processor
parallel sorting) are:
◦ COBOL85_SET_SORT_PARAM_VALUE_
◦ COBOL85_SET_SORT_PARAM_TEXT_
◦ COBOL85_RETURN_SORT_ERRORS_
For descriptions of the preceding routines, see Chapter 13: Libraries and Utility Routines
(page 599).
• How the Scratch File is Determined
In this explanation, if a scratch file is specified but its value is all spaces, assume that no
scratch file was specified.
If COBOL_SET_SORT_PARAM_TEXT_ specifies a SCRATCH-FILE, then that file is the scratch
file.
If the SELECT statement associated with sd-name specifies the =_SORT_DEFAULTS DEFINE
as the define-name-literal, then:
◦ If the =_SORT_DEFAULTS DEFINE exists and specifies a scratch file, then that file is the
scratch file.
◦ If the =_SORT_DEFAULTS DEFINE exists but does not specify a scratch file, then a
temporary file on the volume $SYSTEM is the scratch file.
◦ If no =_SORT_DEFAULTS DEFINE exists, then a temporary file on the volume $SYSTEM
is the scratch file.
◦ If the SELECT statement associated with sd-name does not specify the =_SORT_DEFAULTS
DEFINE as the define-name-literal, then the file that the SELECT statement specifies
is the scratch file.
For instructions for creating the =_SORT_DEFAULTS DEFINE, see the FastSort Manual.
• How the Volume of the Temporary Swap File is Determined
The operating system assigns a swap file to swap pages in and out of memory while the
compiler is running. The swap file mirrors all of the data areas that the compiler uses. The
ideal swap file is a fast device that is neither busy nor mirrored. To redirect the swap file, give
define-name-literal the value =_SORT_DEFAULTS.
The swap file is a temporary file with a volume but no subvolume. If you specify a swap file,
the file-id you specify is not used, only the volume. If you specify only the file-id, the
default volume is used.
In this explanation, if a swap file is specified but its value is all spaces, assume that no swap
file was specified.
If COBOL_SET_SORT_PARAM_TEXT_ specifies a SWAP-FILE, then the swap file is created on
that file’s volume.
444 Procedure Division Verbs