Re: [open-cobol-list] Sort utility within OC

[John R. Culleton]

On Sunday 27 May 2007 06:18, David Essex wrote:
> Roger While wrote:
>  > David Essex wrote:
>  > ...
>  >
>  >> Perhaps first we should agree on what this SORT
>  >> utility should be able to do.
>  >>
>  >> I think it should perform the following tasks.
>  >>
>  >> 1)
>  >> Sort ASCII char-sets on descending/ascending fields,
>  >> with the ability to remove duplicates.
>  >> 2)
>  >> Reformat input records (before sort).
>  >> Reformat output records (after sort).
>  >> 3)
>  >> Sum numeric fields (packed, binary, zone decimals { EBCDIC
>  >> binary ?}) 4)
>  >> Some form of omit-include conditionals.
>  >
>  > Well, I sincerely hope we would be able to sort on ANY field
>  > type.
>
> I don't have a manual, but if memory serves me, the sort fields
> must be alpha-numeric.

For the *nix sort utility that is correct but for the COBOL sort a 
numeric field should be available for sorting.

From Stern & Stern _ Structured Programming in COBOL_:
"The SORT verb may be used to sort records on either numeric or 
non-numeric key fields."
-- 
John Culleton
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