FastSort Manual

FastSort Manual—429834-003
C-1
C Using Supported File Types
For input files, FastSort accepts records from unstructured, relative, entry-sequenced,
key-sequenced, EDIT, and partitioned files.
FastSort does not accept input records from the following:

Blocked tape files

Key-sequenced files with increased limits
You might use buffered interface to send records from key-sequenced files with
increased limits to FastSort. You do not specify the type for input files.
For output files, FastSort can create any type of output file except an EDIT file, and you
can use an existing output file of any type that FastSort can create. If the output file
exists, FastSort purges all data from the file before using it. If the output file is too
small, FastSort purges it and re-creates the file. FastSort does not write records onto
key-sequenced files with increased limits. For more information about key-sequenced
files with increased limits, see Enscribe Programmer’s Guide.
If you do not specify a file type for the output file, SORTPROG sets the type as follows:

If the output file already exists, SORTPROG uses the type of the output file.

If the output file does not already exist, SORTPROG uses the file type of the first
input file.

If the input records are from the SORTMERGESEND procedure, the output file
type is entry-sequenced.
If you wish, however, you can specify the output file type as follows:

For the interactive interface, set the TYPE parameter of the TO command.

For the programmatic interface, set the SORTMERGESTART procedure
out-file-type parameter.
Table C-1 summarizes the output file types.
Table C-1. Summary of Output File Types
Output File Type
TO Command TYPE
Parameter
SORTMERGESTART Procedure
output-file Parameter
Unstructured U 0
Relative R 1
Entry-sequenced E 2