Category : Databases and related files
Archive   : DATAMAGE.ZIP
Filename : SORTGRUP.HLP

"SORT FILE HELP"

"This is a two-in-one function. Depending on the data class of the"
"segment you specify as the target it will perform a numeric or alpha"
"sort on the records in the current group."

"NUMERIC OPERATION"

"This function places the records in the current group in ascending"
"order. The numeric data used as the target of the sort can be on disk"
"or in memory. The user-assigned record numbers and counter fields are"
"in memory, and any numeric data segment can be loaded into memory and"
"used as the target of the sort."

"The user simply accesses the function, then selects the target of the"
"sort from a menu. This process can take some time for large files, up"
"to three hours for 8,000 records. To speed it up you can reject all"
"records containing zero in the target field (using F8) before starting"
"the sorting operation."

"If both counter fields are active when this function is accessed the"
"user must select one of them to be used as the storage area for the"
"sort. Using a counter field for this purpose destroys its' current"
"content. To preserve the data in the counter you can write it to disk"
"in a segment defined as general purpose. After the sort you can put"
"the data now on disk back into the counter. (using F13)"

"ALPHABETIZATION"

"After selecting the initial target for the alpha sort you will have"
"an opportunity to select up to two tie-breaker fields. If duplicates"
"are encountered in the target field -- a tie -- the data in the first,"
"then the second tie-breaker field will be used to determine the order"
"of the records."

"One of the fields selected as alpha sort target can be processed as"
"a name field. If you opt for name field operation the target field"
"will be split into first and last names and the last name will be the"
"primary target of the sort. The first names will be the tie-breaker."
"Opting for name field sorting uses two of the three available alpha"
"sort targets."

"During name field operation the last name will be the last word in the"
"field unless the field ends with a period. If a period is the last "
"character the program will use the last TWO words as the last name."

"That way the JRs, ESQs, IIIs and the like will appear in the sorted"
"list with the last name that precedes them. If you enter a JR with no"
"period then JR will be considered the last name."

"This program does not alphabetize your group. I wrote numerous alpha"
"sort routines for it, but I can't seem to come anywhere close to the"
"speed with which SORT.COM will do the job."

"When you opt for alpha sorting the DATAMAGE makes a temporary file"
"and CALLS the SORT.COM. program. It makes another file in alpha order"
"and the DATAMAGE loads it, then deletes both .tmp files from disk."

"Unfortunately, since this program is INACTIVE during the sort process"
"it can not report it's progress in the usual manner. The computer will"
"APPEAR to have locked up while SORT.COM is doing it's work. All disk"
"drive activity will cease, and nothing (visible) will happen."

"PRESS NO KEYS during this wait! Have a coffee. Take credence! SORT"
"will complete the job you gave it, and your computer will come back to"
"life by writing, then loading the sorted file."

"If you're running off floppies the program will ask you if you wish to"
"use the alternate drive for the work files. Before accepting this op-"
"tion, place a blank (or work) disk in the drive and close the door."

"If a tie-breaker field is used the target field will be displayed in"
"the primary display area (normally reserved for the record name) when"
"you return to BROWSE, and the first tie-breaker will be in the secon-"
"dary display on the line beneath it."

"If no tie-breaker was selected the record name will, as usual, appear"
"In the primary area, and the target field will be in the secondary."

"SORT.COM comes with your MS or PC DOS and is copyrighted by MICROSOFT."