SORT-MERGE/XL General User's Guide (32650-90883)

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Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the registers. Data is held in registers and manipulated
in the ALU.
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) An 8-bit code that is
an extension of Binary-Coded Decimal (BCD) notation. EBCDIC can represent up to 256
different characters.
File Equation The result of using the MPE XL :FILE command to equate a file name to a
device or another file, or to override the file's characteristics. Generally used to direct the
input to or output from a program, job, or session to a particular device by referencing the
device class, such as TAPE or LP.
Formal File Designator A name used programmatically or in a file equation to reference
a file. The formal file designator is not the file name found in the directory. Refer to actual
file designator.
Hard Copy The output from a printer or plotter, usually onto paper. The opposite of soft
copy.
Hexadecimal A method of representing a single alphanumeric character with a 16
numbering system, in which the first 10 digits are 0 through 9, and the last six are A
through F. When a number is written in base 16, it is preceded by a dollar sign "$" (for
example, $F3 is the hexadecimal representation for 243).
Implied :RUN The ability to run a program without explicitly using the MPE XL :RUN
command. For MPE XL it is not necessary to specify
It is only necessary to enter :SORT.
Input File The input file is designated by using the >INPUT command as the file
containing the information you want to sort or merge.
Input/Output (I/O) The process of, or equipment used in, transmitting information to or
from the computer.
Interactive Interactive processing allows you to enter commands and data at the
terminal and receive an immediate response from the system. This is called a session.
Sessions are useful for data entry and retrieval, text editing, and program development
where direct dialog with the computer is preferred. The opposite of batch.
Intrinsic A system routine accessible by user programs providing interface to common
tasks such as file access, message formatting, or data conversion.
I/O Refer to Input/Output.
Job A single file, submitted by a user, containing operating system and utility commands
and references to the files to be manipulated. Once submitted, a job executes
independently of the initiating user or session. Jobs are used to compile source programs,
modify files, or perform other functions not requiring user interaction. Submitting a job is
also called streaming or batch processing. The opposite of session.