Adding a sequence number to an MFSORT input or output file

Problem:

When using MFSORT to sort a file how can a record number be added to each record of the Input or Output file

Resolution:

When sorting a file using MFSORT it is possible to add a record number to each record on either the input or resulting output file using the parameter SEQNUM.

Option A

To add to each record on the input file, prior to the sort, specify the parameter on the MFSORT INREC declaration as below:-

inrec fields=(4,13,seqnum,8,zd,start=0,incr=1)
sort fields (2,2,ch,a,4,13,ch,a) use unsortedfile.txt org ls record v,1,20
give sortedfile.txt org ls record (f 30)

Option B

 To add to each record on the output file, after the sort, specify the parameter on the MFSORT OUTREC declaration as below:-

outrec fields=(4,13,seqnum,8,zd,start=1,incr=1)
sort fields (2,2,ch,a,4,13,ch,a) use unsortedfile.txt org ls record v,1,20
give sortedfile.txt org ls record (f 30)

In both examples, the record number will be added as an 8 digit zoned decimal sequence number, placed at the end of each record and starting at a value of 1.

Note: When using SEQNUM on INREC, specify start=0 (start being the initial value of the record number) and when on OUTREC specify start=1.

Example Input file prior to MFSORT run using Option A

XZDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD
XCDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD
XBDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD
XHDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD
XEDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD
XZAEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD

Result of MFSORT command using Option B

XBDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000003
XCDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000002
XEDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000005
XHDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000004
XZAEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000006
XZDEFGGHHTTTEERRFFJD00000001

Incident#3179196