Using the format 2 SORT statement to sort a table
It is recommended to use the format 2 SORT statement
to sort a table. It provides the following benefits when compared
to the format 1 SORT statement.
| Characteristics | Format 1 SORT statements |
Format 2 SORT statements |
|---|---|---|
| Can be used to sort a file or a table | Yes | No, it is for tables only |
| Requires DFSORT or equivalent sorting program | Yes | No |
| Supported in CICS® | Limited | Yes |
| Supported in UNIX System Services | No | Yes |
Supported in programs that are compiled with
the THREAD option |
No | Yes |
Table can be sorted by using a single SORT statement,
which simplifies coding |
No, it requires the SELECT clauses, SD entries
with record descriptions, and input and output procedures |
Yes |
Keys for sorting can be specified as part of
the table definition, which can also be used in the SEARCH
ALL statement |
No, keys must be specified in the SORT statement.
If the table is to be searched by using SEARCH ALL as
well, the keys must also be redundantly specified as part of the table
definition. |
Yes, and it also supports specifying keys in
the SORT statement if needed |
| Can filter or preprocess table elements during the sorting process | Yes, using input and output procedures | No, all of the table elements are passed to SORT as-is |
Uses special registers that include SORT-CONTROL, SORT-CORE-SIZE, SORT-FILE-SIZE, SORT-MESSAGE, SORT-MODE-SIZE,
and SORT-RETURN |
Yes | No |
| Can be executed within the range of an input or output procedure | No | Yes |
Note: Do not use the format 2
SORT with
large tables in an environment where storage is constrained, because
the format 2 SORT uses heap storage to do the sort.