FastSort Manual

Using FastSort System Procedures
FastSort Manual—429834-003
5-34
SORTMERGESTART Procedure
Input Files
Follow these guidelines for input files:

SORTPROG accepts all types of input files except blocked tape files and
processes.

SORTPROG accepts up to 32 input files. The files can contain fixed-length or
variable-length records.

The sum of number-merge-files and number-sort-files must be at least 1
file. Although both parameters are optional, you must specify one of them.

SORTPROG cannot accept input records from blocked tape files. Before
presenting these files to SORTPROG, use the File Utility Program (FUP) to
deblock the records. For information about FUP, see the File Utility Program (FUP)
Reference Manual.

SORTPROG cannot accept records greater than 4072 bytes directly from input
files, SORTMERGESEND or SORTMERGERECEIVE must be used to send or
receive these records.
Output File Types
If out-file-name specifies a nonexistent disk file or if an existing output file has the
wrong maximum record length, file type, or size, SORTPROG creates a new output
file. You can use the NOPURGE option (that is, set flags.<5> to 1) to tell
SORTPROG not to purge an output file that seems too small. SORTPROG creates a
new output file according to the following rules, in order:
1. SORTPROG uses the file type specified in the out-file-type parameter.
2. SORTPROG uses the existing out-file-name file type if it is a valid output file
type.
3. SORTPROG uses the first in-file-name file type if it is a valid disk file type for
output.
4. If none of the above conditions exist, SORTPROG creates an entry-sequenced file.
5. SORTPROG does not send output to EDIT files.
6. SORTPROG cannot write records with length greater than 4072 bytes directly to
the output file.
You can use a process as an output file.
If out-file-name is a blocked tape file, SORTPROG writes one record for each
block. You can use FUP to block the records and load the tape file. For information
about FUP, see the File Utility Program (FUP) Reference Manual.
The output file type can be key-sequenced. For key-sequenced files, these rules apply: