D1 format on FIELDS operand

The syntax for the SORT and MERGE statements using the D1 format on the FIELDS operand is as follows.


                          .-,-----------.      
                          V             |      
>>-+-SORT--+--FIELDS=--(----mp,mm,mf,ms-+--)-------------------><
   '-MERGE-'

Where: Represents
mp: field position within the input record
mm: field length
mf: the D1 format that designates this field as an EFS control field
ms: must be either ascending (A) or descending (D); modification by an E61 exit (E) is not allowed.

Table 1 gives an example of using the D1 format for a SORT control statement returned to DFSORT by the EFS program.

You must adhere to the following requirements for the D1 format:

The mp, mm, and ms values returned must be valid SORT or MERGE control statement values, except:
- The combined value of mp and mm may exceed the record length.
- CHALT will have no effect on EFS fields and will not limit the length to 256.
- Value E for ms will not be allowed; EFS fields may not be altered by an E61.
- FORMAT=D1 will not be allowed.

Table 1. D1 Format Returned by an EFS Program
D1 Format Returned by an EFS ProgramFormat
Original SORT control statement sent to EFSPGM `SORT FIELDS=(15,4,FF,A,20,4,CH,A,40,7,FF,D)` Altered SORT control statement returned by EFSPGM `SORT FIELDS=(15,4,D1,A,20,4,CH,A,40,7,D1,D)` where: FF is a user-defined format that is modified to D1 by the EFS program before returning to DFSORT