This document is intended to help you to sort, merge, and copy data sets using DFSORT(TM). This document is not designed to teach you how to use DFSORT, but is for programmers who already have a basic understanding of DFSORT, and need a task-oriented guide and reference to its functions and options. If you are a new user, then you should read z/OS DFSORT: Getting Started first. z/OS DFSORT: Getting Started is a self-study guide that tells you what you need to know to begin using DFSORT quickly, with step-by-step examples and illustrations.
The various sections of this document present related information grouped according to tasks you want to do. The first three chapters of the document explain what you need to know to invoke and use DFSORT's primary record-processing functions. The remaining chapters explain more specialized features. The appendixes provide specific information about various topics.
"Introducing DFSORT" in topic 1.0, presents an overview of DFSORT, explaining what you can do with DFSORT and how you invoke DFSORT processing. It describes how DFSORT works, discusses data set formats and limitations, and explains the defaults that might have been modified during installation at your site.
"Invoking DFSORT with Job Control Language" in topic 2.0, explains how to use job control language (JCL) to run your DFSORT jobs. It explains how to code JOB, EXEC, and DD statements, and how you can use cataloged procedures and EXEC PARM options to simplify your JCL and override DFSORT defaults set during installation.
"Using DFSORT Program Control Statements" in topic 3.0, presents the DFSORT control statements you use to sort, merge, and copy data. It explains how to filter your data so you work only with the records you need, how to edit data by reformatting and summing records, and how to produce multiple output data sets and reports. It explains how to write statements that direct DFSORT to use your own routines during processing.
"Using Your Own User Exit Routines" in topic 4.0, describes how to use DFSORT's program exits to call your own routines during program processing. You can write routines to delete, insert, alter, and summarize records, and you can incorporate your own error-recovery routines.
"Invoking DFSORT from a Program" in topic 5.0, describes how you use a system macro instruction to initiate DFSORT processing from your own assembler program. It also lists specific restrictions on invoking DFSORT from PL/I and COBOL.
"Using ICETOOL" in topic 6.0, describes how to use the multi-purpose DFSORT utility ICETOOL. It explains the JCL and operators you can use to perform a variety of tasks with ICETOOL.
"Using Symbols for Fields and Constants" in topic 7.0, explains how to define symbols and use them in DFSORT control statements and ICETOOL operators.
"Using Extended Function Support" in topic 8.0, explains how to use the Extended Function Support (EFS) interface to tailor control statements, to handle user-defined data types and collating sequences, and to have DFSORT issue customized informational messages during processing.
"Improving Efficiency" in topic 9.0, recommends ways with which you can maximize DFSORT processing efficiency. This chapter covers a wide spectrum of improvements you can make, from designing individual applications for efficient processing at your site to using DFSORT features such as Hipersorting, dataspace sorting, and ICEGENER.
"Examples of DFSORT Job Streams" in topic 10.0, contains annotated example job streams for sorting, merging, and copying records.
Appendix A, "Using Work Space" in topic A.0, explains main storage considerations and how to estimate the amount of intermediate storage you might require when sorting data.
Appendix B, "Specification/Override of DFSORT Options" in topic B.0, contains a series of tables you can use to find the order of override for similar options that are specified in different sources.
Appendix C, "Data Format Descriptions" in topic C.0, gives examples of the assembled data formats.
Appendix D, "EBCDIC and ISCII/ASCII Collating Sequences" in topic D.0, lists the collating sequences from low to high order for EBCDIC and ISCII/ASCII characters.
Appendix E, "DFSORT Abend Processing" in topic E.0, describes the ESTAE recovery routine for processing abends, and the Checkpoint/Restart facility.
"Notices" in topic BACK_1, includes the notices, Programming Interface information, and the trademark list.