NATURAL and COBOL sort compare

kvmahesh · New User Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Chennai

Hi,

We are trying to convert a NATURAL program that does an internal SORT to a COBOL program internal sort routine.

As part of the conversion we tried to compare the sort results of both codes (NATURAL and COBOL) output we found that Sorted records for similar key values are being produced in differently in NATURAL and COBOL.

Can you please with the reason why it is behaving differently, is there any difference in NATURAL and COBOL sorting routines and if so, how to solve the issue.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Magesh.K.V

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:45 pm

investigate the options of the sort product installed in Your organization!

for IBM DFSORT at least
it is clearly stated that unless (*) is specified the sort order for records with the same sort key will be unpredictable

(*) OPTIONS EQUALS
check the mauals of Your sort product for the exact syntax

kvmahesh · New User Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Chennai

Thanks for your response...

I know there is a option in SYNCSORT and DFSORT that has EQUALS to preserve the sequence..

How about controlling that in COBOL internal sort.

enrico-sorichetti · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:54 pm

in the manuals is explained how to add additional options that cannot be specified when using internal sorts
usually adding a dd with the additional options

quoting from IBM...