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

Chapter 2 25
Getting Started With SORT-MERGE/XL
SORT-MERGE/XL Files
are defined below:
Display File
The display file receives the output from the >SHOW command. This output can be in the
form of either the translation table or the collating sequence. The formal designator of the
display file is DISPLOUT, which defaults to $STDLIST. $STDLIST is the terminal for a
session and the printer for a job.
Input File
The input file contains the data you want to sort or merge. This file can reside on any
storage device such as magnetic tape or disc. For SORT-MERGE/XL, the formal designator
of the input file is INPUT. INPUT is then equated to the actual file designator you specify
with the >INPUT command. $NULL is not a valid input file.
Output File
The output file receives the results of the sorted or merged records. The formal designator
for the output file is OUTPUT which is equated to the actual file designator you specify with
the >OUTPUT command.
List File
The list file is used by SORT-MERGE/XL to display error messages and prompts during
interactive sessions. It does not contain sorted or merged records. The formal designator
for the list file is LIST, which defaults to $STDLIST. $STDLIST is the terminal for a session
and the printer for a job.
Scratch File
The scratch file is used as a work area by SORT/XL. It is not used by MERGE/XL. The
formal designator for the file is SORTSCR in Compatibility Mode. In Native Mode, there is
an unnamed scratch file. Refer to the discussion of the >INPUT command for SORT/XL to
estimate the size of the scratch file. All extents for the file are allocated at once.
Text File
SORT-MERGE/XL reads commands directly from this file. The formal designator for the
file is TEXT, which defaults to $STDIN.
Prompt File
Used by SORT-MERGE/XL to prompt the user for input when the text file is the session
terminal but the list file is not. PROMPT is the formal designator which defaults to
$STDLIST. The prompt file is the session output device.