In the below JCL what does the alternate sequence does? and what is the function of that here? why we need to specify the values and what are the functional work of it? Can any one clear me out in simple words with quick ref???
Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 7129 Location: San Jose, CA
It collates X'61'-X'7A' the same as X'41'-X'5A'.
For example, if you had these hex values in positions 5-7:
410000
610001
410002
610003
SORT FIELDS=(5,3,CH,A) would give you this output:
410000
410002
610001
610003
because X'41' collates before X'61'.
But with SORT FIELDS=(5,3,AQ,A) and the ALTSEQ statement, you would get this output:
410000
610001
410002
610003
because X'41' and X'61' collate the same.
As for why the job was set up to do that, you'd have to ask whoever set it up. Nothing special springs to mind about those particular hex values and why they would need to be collated the same.
