ILE COBOL Programmer's Guide


SORT/MERGE

You can use DBCS data items as keys in a SORT or MERGE statement. The sort operation orders data according to the collating sequence specified in the SORT, MERGE, or SPECIAL NAMES paragraph. The system orders any shift control characters contained in DBCS and mixed keys.

Use the RELEASE statement to transfer records containing DBCS characters from an input/output area to the initial phase of a sort operation. The system performs the FROM phrase with the RELEASE statement in the same way it performs the FROM phrase with the WRITE statement. (See WRITE Statement.)

You can also use the RETURN statement to transfer records containing DBCS characters from the final phase of a sort or merge operation to an input/output area. The system performs the INTO phrase with the RETURN statement in the same manner that it performs the INTO phrase with the READ statement. (See READ Statement.)


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