Using Record Input and Output

As shown in Figure 3-1 “Record Input and Output”, 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 example, if your program accepts input from a terminal). Record input is only available for SORT/XL.

Choose the output by record option when you want to sort or merge information during a program's execution without directly storing the information. For example, use it if you want to display a sorted list to a user's terminal, or if you want a chance to modify the output before storing in a file.