ABCs of z/OS System Programming Volume 3 - IBM Redbooks

4.51 Data facility sort (DFSORT)
Paula
Miriam
Marie
Enete
Dovi
Cassio
Carolina
Ana
Descending order
Figure 4-62 DFSORT example
Data facility sort (DFSORT)
The DFSORT licensed program is a high performance data arranger for z/OS users. Using
DFSORT you can sort, merge, and copy data sets using EBCDIC, z/Architecture decimal or
binary keys. It also helps you to analyze data and produce detailed reports using the
ICETOOL utility or the OUTFIL function. DFSORT is an optional feature of z/OS.
DFSORT, together with DFSMS and RACF, form the strategic product base for the evolving
system-managed storage environment. DFSORT is designed to optimize the efficiency and
speed with which operations are completed through synergy with processor, device, and
system features (for example, memory objects, Hiperspace, data space, striping,
compression, extended addressing, DASD and tape device architecture, processor memory,
and processor cache.
DFSORT example
The simple example in Figure 4-62 illustrates how DFSORT merges data sets by combining
two or more files of sorted records to form a single data set of sorted records.
You can use DFSORT to do simple application tasks such as alphabetizing a list of names, or
you can use it to aid complex tasks such as taking inventory or running a billing system. You
can also use DFSORT's record-level editing capability to perform data management tasks.
For most of the processing done by DFSORT, the whole data set is affected. However, certain
forms of DFSORT processing involve only certain individual records in that data set.
190 ABCs of z/OS System Programming Volume 3
Source Data Set
Marie
Carolina
Ana
Cassio
Dovi
Miriam
Enete
Paula
SORT SORT
Ana
Carolina
Cassio
Dovi
Enete
Marie
Miriam
Paula
Ascending order