SORT-MERGE/XL Programmer's Guide (32650-90884)

3 Input and Output by Record

Record input and output are optional I/O methods for SORT/XL and MERGE/XL. This

chapter presents a general overview of the record options. Next, the intrinsics used for

input by record are described, and an example is provided. Last, the intrinsics for output

by record are described, and an example provided. (The default I/O methods, input and

output by ﬁles, are discussed in Chapter 2.)

Using Record Input and Output

As shown in Figure 3-1., record input and output are processed after SORT-MERGE/XL is

intialized and before SORT-MERGE/XL is ended.

Figure 3-1. Record Input and Output

You can use record input or record output when you wish to alter the records.

Choose the input by record option when you want to sort a set of input that is available to

you one record at a time. This happens when the records you want to sort are created

within the sorting program or when records are intended to be received interactively (for