The CTRx option can be used to diagnose a problem by requesting that DFSORT abend during record input or output processing. See the DEBUG control statement in Using DFSORT program control statements. DFSORT will cause an 0C1 abend when the CTRx count is satisfied. The DFSORT ESTAE recovery routine will process the abend in the same way as it does for an unexpected abend described earlier.

The DFSORT ESTAE recovery routine will return control to the system, which will pass control to any ESTAE recovery routines established by invoking programs.

As described earlier, the DFSORT ESTAE recovery routine will save the first 104 or 112 bytes of the system diagnostic work area in the invoking program's SDWA area if the address of the area is passed to DFSORT.

Since PL/I normally has an ESPIE in effect to intercept program checks (0Cx abend codes), the DFSORT ESTAE recovery routine is not entered after these errors unless you have specified NOSPIE. DFSORT abend recovery processing will occur for all other types of abends.

Invocations from COBOL programs or use of COBOL exits can result in more than one abend dump.