FastSort Manual

Introduction to FastSort
FastSort Manual—429834-003
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FastSort Components

Sequence options

Can use an alternate collating sequence for alphanumeric characters

Can remove records with duplicate key values

Input and output file options

Accepts up to 32 input Guardian files (except blocked tape files, SQL objects,
or processes)

Can merge up to 32 input streams from an application process

Supports application process input and output, with optional extended
addressing for sending and receiving records

Supports partitioned input and output files, including distributed Enscribe
databases (but not NonStop SQL/MP objects)

Produces relative, entry-sequenced, key-sequenced, or unstructured output
files

Supports both Format 1 and Format 2 files

Efficiency

Uses an optimized key-comparison algorithm and optimized procedures for
reading and building structured files, and double buffering for reading from
input files

Uses extended memory to minimize the number of merge passes

Automatically selects extended memory size

Uses record blocking to minimize the number of interprocess messages
required for transferring records to or from an application process

Supports parallel sorting to minimize sort time for files larger than 1 megabyte

Sorts files smaller than 100 kilobytes in memory to eliminate the need for
scratch file input and output

Provides record blocking and faster sorting for COBOL85, the File Utility
Program (FUP), and the CROSSREF program

Recognizes SORT and SUBSORT DEFINEs that allow you to control most
factors of a FastSort process from outside your sort program.
FastSort Components
FastSort has these major components:

Interactive FastSort

Programmatic FastSort