VAX-11 SORT

This manual introduces the VAX-11 SORT utility, a program designed to rearrange and reformat records in VAX-11 Record Management Service (RMS) files. It functions as both a standalone utility and a callable subroutine package, supporting various programming languages like COBOL-74, FORTRAN IV PLUS, MACRO, and BLISS.

The document outlines four primary sort types: Record, Tag, Address, and Index Sort, detailing their characteristics and optimal use cases. It explains how to interact with SORT either through direct commands in an interactive or batch mode, or by using a specification file for more complex sorting parameters. Key definitions, including position, size, data type, and sort order, are thoroughly covered, alongside information on input/output file specifications and work file management.

For programmers, the manual describes how to integrate SORT functionalities into user applications via two interfaces—file I/O and record I/O—using a set of six standard subroutines. It provides guidance on programming considerations, data types, and custom key comparison routines.

The guide also addresses error conditions, listing messages from the VAX/VMS DCL command interpreter, the SORT utility, and RMS, along with recommended user actions for resolution. A significant portion is dedicated to improving SORT efficiency by tuning various performance parameters, such as working set quota, work file device selection, and understanding the utility's operational phases. Appendices offer valuable reference material on octal/hexadecimal/decimal conversion, ASCII character sets, and detailed data types and structures.