TOPS-10 SORT/MERGE

This document is a user's guide for the TOPS-10 SORT/MERGE stand-alone utility program (version 4C). It provides instructions for users on how to use the utility to sort and merge data files.

The guide is organized into the following sections:

• Getting Started: Provides basic procedures for creating test files, calculating record lengths and key positions, and performing simple sorts on ASCII files. It also addresses specific sorting challenges like line-sequenced files, files containing tabs, variable-length records, and handling uppercase/lowercase text.
• How to Use: Explains general command formats, the use of command files, and how to invoke SORT/MERGE from COBOL or FORTRAN programs.
• Switches: Offers a detailed reference for all SORT/MERGE command switches, categorized by function (Required, Recording-mode, File, Control, and Tape switches).
• File Formats: Details the various file structures supported, including ASCII, SIXBIT, EBCDIC, and Binary (with specific information for COBOL and FORTRAN-generated files).
• Error Messages: Lists and explains the error messages generated by the utility, including format descriptions.
• Performance: Discusses performance tuning, specifically how tree size, memory allocation, and the number of merge passes affect execution efficiency.
• Appendices: Include a summary of commands and switches, as well as collating sequence and conversion tables for ASCII, SIXBIT, and EBCDIC.