The SORTDIAG DD statement specifies that all messages, including diagnostic messages (ICE800I through ICE999I), and control statements are to be written to the message data set. The statement can be used for all DFSORT techniques and provides information on EXCP counts, intermediate storage allocation and use, and so on. The SORTDIAG DD statement has no effect on console messages. The statement is intended as a diagnostic tool.

When SORTDIAG is used, a SYSOUT DD statement or a ddname DD statement (where ddname is the alternate message data set ddname specified during installation or run-time) should be provided. If installation option NOMSGDD=QUIT is in effect and neither an alternate message data set ddname statement nor a SYSOUT ddname statement is provided, DFSORT terminates with a return code of 20.