HP RPG/iX Utilities Reference Manual (30318-90006)

3-51
Comment lines have nothing to do with the way your program operates. They provide you with an
opportunity to document your work. You can code documents anywhere within the XSORT specifications,
but they will be printed only if a blank or 0 is in column 27 of your Header Specification.
Column 8: C, P, U, or V
Column 8 entries tell XSORT what type of data is to be used in the work records.
You can force characters into your data field by placing a V in column 8 and specifying the character you
want forced into that position in column 18. The character will then be placed in the next available data
field position of the work record.
NOTE Column 8 entries in the Field Description Specifications may seem similar to the col-
umn 8 entries you entered as Record Type descriptions. They should not be confused.
Column 8 of the Record Type specifications helps select the records you wish to sort.
Column 8 of the Field Description tells how you want data used in sorting and out-
putting your work records.
Packed Control Fields (Normal or Opposite)
XSORT also changes the control fields while building its work record if you specify packed control fields.
The X in column 28 of your Header Specification will drop these changed control fields on output. If you
wish to retain them in meaningful form they should be entered again as data fields.
NOTE For an unconditional force and a force-all line, column 8 must contain a C.
Column 8
Entry
Data Type Used Maximum Field Length
C Character equals one byte (8 bits) of data. 256 characters
P Packed decimal data. 14 bytes (27 packed digits and sign)
U Unpacked decimal data. 28 characters (unpacked digits)
V Force a data character into the record. 1 character
Columns 7 and 8 - Combined Entries
Column 7 Column 8 Maximum Field\Length
N or O P 14
N or O U 28
N or O C 256
FC11
DP 14
D U 28
D C 256
DV 1
* Comment line