VX/SOR - OpenVMS SORT MERGE

Description:

VX/SOR is a complete VMS/OpenVMS SORT MERGE implementation, fully supporting the SOR$ API set, VX/DCL command line, and Linux shell execution. It replicates the VMS sorting and merging capabilities, leveraging multi-file merge sort techniques with quick-sort enhancements to optimize performance.

With call-compatible APIs and VX/DCL integration, VX/SOR ensures that applications using VMS sorting functions continue working seamlessly on Linux and Windows.

Full Support for SOR$ API Functions

VX/SOR provides a callable library that includes the following SOR$ API functions, ensuring compatibility with existing OpenVMS applications:

• SOR$BEGIN_SORT – Initializes the sort operation.

• SOR$END_SORT – Finalizes the sort process.

• SOR$INIT_SORT – Prepares sort parameters.

• SOR$MERGE – Executes a file merge operation.

• SOR$PASS_FILES – Passes multiple files for sorting.

• SOR$RELEASE_REC – Releases a record after processing.

• SOR$RETURN_REC – Returns the next sorted record.

• SOR$SORT_MERGE – Combines sorting and merging functions.

• SOR$SPEC_FILE – Specifies file sorting parameters.

• SOR$STAT – Retrieves sort statistics.

Applications using SOR$ routines can be migrated to Linux and Windows without modifying sort logic.

Running SORT and MERGE from the VX/DCL Command Line

VX/SOR supports native VMS command syntax, enabling SORT and MERGE operations through VX/DCL:

SORT input-file-spec [,...] output-file  
MERGE input-file-spec [,...] output-file

The full set of VMS SORT qualifiers is supported, ensuring command behavior remains unchanged.

Supported Qualifiers

VX/SOR supports a wide range of SORT qualifiers, ensuring that complex sorting operations execute identically on Linux and Windows.

Qualifier	Description
ASCENDING	Sorts in ascending order.
BINARY	Processes binary data.
CHARACTER	Sorts character data.
DECIMAL	Handles numeric decimal sorting.
DESCENDING	Sorts in descending order.
KEY	Defines the key field for sorting.
PROCESS	Specifies processing behavior.
SEQUENTIAL	Ensures sequential sorting.
STATISTICS	Outputs performance metrics.
DUPLICATES	Controls duplicate record handling.

These qualifiers ensure that sorting behavior on Linux and Windows remains identical to VMS/OpenVMS.

VX/DCL SORT Command Definition

VX/SOR integrates with VX/DCL, providing full command parsing and execution support.

VX/DCL SORT Command Structure

VX/SOR defines SORT as a VX/DCL verb, replicating the VMS SORT syntax:

DEFINE VERB SORT
  ROUTINE DO_SORT
  IMAGE "SORT"

VX/SOR also supports a wide range of SORT parameters, ensuring that sorting logic remains unchanged across platforms.

Example SORT Command Parameters

• Input and Output Files

• Sorting Key Field

• Processing Mode

• Record Formatting Options

• File Block Size and Record Size Settings

With VX/SOR, Linux and Windows environments gain full VMS SORT functionality, ensuring zero impact on migrated applications.

Conclusion

VX/SOR provides a fully compatible implementation of VMS/OpenVMS SORT MERGE, ensuring that sorting and merging operations can be performed on Linux and Windows without modification.

VX/SOR is an essential tool for migrating OpenVMS applications, allowing teams to execute, extend, and optimize SORT/MERGE functionality in modern environments.

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