Sorting data sets

You can use DFSORT to rearrange the records in your data sets. Sorting is arranging records in either ascending or descending order within a file. Table 1 shows a sample data set of names, first sorted in ascending order, then in descending order.

Table 1. DFSORT Arranges Information in Ascending and Descending Order
Unsorted Data Set	Sorted Ascending	Sorted Descending
Andy Edward Carol Dan Betty	Andy Betty Carol Dan Edward	Edward Dan Carol Betty Andy

You can sort data in many different formats. Table 2 shows the most commonly used DFSORT data formats and the format identifiers you use to specify them.

Table 2. Commonly Used Data Formats
Data Format	Format Identifier
EBCDIC (Character) Binary (Unsigned Numeric) Fixed-point (Signed Numeric) Zoned Decimal (Signed Numeric) Packed Decimal (Signed Numeric) Floating Sign (Signed Numeric) Free Form (Unsigned Numeric) Free Form (Signed Numeric)	CH BI FI ZD PD FS UFF SFF

Refer to z/OS DFSORT Application Programming Guide z/OS DFSORT Application Programming Guide for complete details of the available formats.