Re: [open-cobol-list] Sort utility within OC

[Roger While]

>  > David Essex wrote:
>  > ...
>  >> Perhaps first we should agree on what this SORT
>  >> utility should be able to do.
>  >>
>  >> I think it should perform the following tasks.
>  >>
>  >> 1)
>  >> Sort ASCII char-sets on descending/ascending fields,
>  >> with the ability to remove duplicates.
>  >> 2)
>  >> Reformat input records (before sort).
>  >> Reformat output records (after sort).
>  >> 3)
>  >> Sum numeric fields (packed, binary, zone decimals { EBCDIC binary ?})
>  >> 4)
>  >> Some form of omit-include conditionals.
>  >
>  > Well, I sincerely hope we would be able to sort on ANY field type.
>
> I don't have a manual, but if memory serves me, the sort fields must be
> alpha-numeric.

No, no. The Cobol SORT verb allows any field type.
(Strictly speaking, not quite - 2002 states -
 "Key data items shall not be of the class boolean, object, or pointer.")

Another thing, we should also cater for a COLLATING SEQUENCE.

Roger