This chapter introduces SORT-MERGE/XL commands, key data items, collating sequences, translation tables, and file types.
SORT-MERGE/XL commands are key words that direct the subsystem to perform a specific operation.
A key data item is the data contained within a specific location in a file. Key data items are sometimes referred to as data fields.
Collating sequences define the order in which characters and items are sorted or merged. You can alter the standard collating sequence to customize data for a particular application.
Translation tables can be generated by the SORT-MERGE/XL subsystem to show ASCII or EBCDIC characters and their ordinal values.
Several types of files are used by SORT-MERGE/XL during its operation. Some are defined by the user and some are system generated.
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