SORT-MERGE/XL General User's Guide > Chapter 6 SORT-MERGE/XL Commands

OUTPUT (SORT/XL)

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The >OUTPUT command designates and creates the output file which is to receive the sorted records. Refer to the MERGE/XL >OUTPUT command for information on how to use the command within that subsystem.

SYNTAX


            { *        }
  >O[UTPUT] { $STDLIST } [, NUM][, KEY]
            { filename }

PARAMETERS

*

Using this parameter specifies that the records are to be sent to the file LIST, which defaults to $STDLIST.

$STDLIST

Specifies that the sorted records are to be sent to $STDLIST. The output file is not saved in this case.

NOTE: Use * cor CCTL first byte is stripped) and use $STDLIST for NOCCTL in interactive mode. In batch mode, both default to CCTL. The user may specify the following file equation to force NOCCTL:
FILE LIST; DEV=LP; NOCCTL

filename

This parameter identifies the actual file designator.

NUM

Specifies that the output records consist of the original logical record numbers only. The first record in the input file is considered number one.

KEY

Specifies that the output records consist of the key fields concatenated together from left to right with the major key field on the left. If neither NUM nor KEY is specified, the output records are identical to the input records. If NUM is specified, but KEY is not specified, the output records consist of a double integer whose value is the original logical (relative) record number. If KEY is specified and NUM is not specified, the output records consist of the key fields concatenated together from left to right. If both NUM and KEY are specified then each output record consists of the key fields concatenated together followed by the original logical record number.

DISCUSSION

If more than one OUTPUT command is issued, only the last one is effective.

If no output command is issued, SORT/XL creates an output file with the name OUTPUT.

If a file already exists with the same name as that specified in the >OUTPUT command, during an interactive session, the following message is displayed:


  PURGE OLD OUTPUT FIle filename ?

If you respond YES, the old file is purged. If you respond NO or press the Return key, the following message is displayed:


  ENTER NEW NAME FOR OUTPUT FILE

You should then enter a new name for the output file.

In batch mode, the old file is not disturbed. Instead a new permanent file, OUTPUTnn (n is a non-negative integer) is created and the following message is displayed:


  OUTPUT FILE CLOSED WITH FILE NAME OUTPUT nn

The Job Control Word (JCW) is set to FATAL.

EXAMPLE

The following shows specifying the file company as the output file.


  >OUTPUT COMPANY

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

Refer to the >OUTPUT command for MERGE/XL in this chapter.

OUTPUT (MERGE/XL)

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