Using program control statements

Program control statements direct DFSORT in processing your records. Some program control statements are required while others are optional. You use the control statements to:

Indicate whether a sort, merge, or copy is performed.
Describe the control fields to be used.
Indicate program exits for transferring control to your own routines.
Describe DFSORT functions you want to have invoked.
Describe input and output files.
Indicate various options you want to use during processing.

You can supply program control statements to DFSORT from:

A SYSIN data set
A SORTCNTL data set
A DFSPARM data set
A 24-Bit parameter list
An extended parameter list

See Specification/override of DFSORT options for an explanation of when to use each source.

This chapter begins with a summary of DFSORT program control statements and coding rules. A detailed description of each statement follows.