The >VERIFY command allows you to check the options you specified for the sort operation. Enter the >VERIFY command after the >KEY command, as follows:
:SORT
HP32214A.01.00 SORT/3000 WED, JUN 3, 1987, 8:32 AM
© HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. 1986
>INPUT EMPLOYEE
>OUTPUT COMPANY
>KEY 1, 11; 12, 11; 23, 19
>VERIFY
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SORT/XL responds to the >VERIFY command with the following display:
INPUT ENTITY = EMPLOYEE
RECORD LENGTH = SAME AS THAT OF THE INPUT FILE
OUTPUT ENTITY = COMPANY
KEY POSITION LENGTH TYPE ASC/DESC
1 11 BYTE ASC (MAJOR KEY)
12 11 BYTE ASC
23 19 BYTE ASC
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This display tells you that the input file is EMPLOYEE; the output file is COMPANY; and the sort is based on three designated keys. The first key (identified as the major key) starts in character position 1 and is 11 characters long. In case of ties on the first key, entries in COMPANY are sorted according to the second key. The second key starts in character position 12 and is 11 characters long. The third key starts in character position 23 and is 19 characters long. It also shows that the default values for TYPE (BYTE) and ASC/DESC (ASC for ascending) are used. Refer to the >VERIFY command in Chapter 6 for additional information.
