FastSort Manual

Using FastSort Commands
FastSort Manual—429834-003
3-30
TO Command
NOPURGE
directs FastSort not to purge the output file if the file seems too small to contain all
the output records. This parameter ensures that FastSort preserves the original
partitioning and extents of the file. FastSort still purges the data from an existing
output file, even though it does not purge the file.
When you specify NOPURGE, FastSort changes the record length to the default
value of 132 bytes.
If an existing output file has a different file type than the TO command specifies or
than SORTPROG uses by default, FastSort purges the existing file whether you
specify NOPURGE or not. For more information, see Existing Output Files on
page 3-31.
The SLACK, DSLACK, and ISLACK parameters apply only to key-sequenced
output files. For other types of output files, FastSort ignores these parameters.
SLACK percentage
specifies the minimum percentage of slack space in both index and data blocks.
You specify percentage as a value in the range {0:99}. The default is 0 slack.
DSLACK percentage
specifies the minimum percentage of slack space in data blocks. You specify
percentage as a value in the range {0:99}. The default is the value of the SLACK
parameter.
ISLACK percentage
specifies the minimum percentage of slack space in index blocks. You specify
percentage as a value in the range {0:99}. The default is the value of the SLACK
parameter.
Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when you use the TO command.
Output File Types
If out-file specifies a nonexistent disk file or if you do not specify NOPURGE,
SORTPROG creates a new output file according to these rules in order:
1. SORTPROG uses the file type you specified in the TO command, if any.
2. SORTPROG uses the existing output file’s type if it is a valid output file type and
does not write output records to EDIT files.
3. SORTPROG uses the first input file’s type if it is a valid disk file type for output and
does not write output records to EDIT files.